Academy News

With the Blues away to Doncaster this weekend, Blues supporters have the chance to support the Blues Academy, with the next two home games at Goldington Road being Academy games against Oxford University and Wasps.

First up on Saturday October 25th, the Academy take on the Oxford University U21 XV for their second encounter this season.  Oxford are in preparation for the annual Varsity game at Twickenham against Cambridge University on 11th December.  The Blues beat the University in their away fixture three weeks ago by 32pts – 14.   The game is at Goldington Road, with Kick Off at 2.30 pm.  The bar is open, and admission is free.

With Saints, one of the RFU funded Academies, fielding a number of contracted players, with England U18 and Scotland U20 experience, it was always going to be a tough day for the Blues.  Centre Rory Hutchinson appeared for Scotland U20 in the World Cup in New Zealand this summer, and hooker James Fish, flanker Lewis Ludlum and centre Harry Mallinder (all 6’5” of him) have recently returned from the England U18 unbeaten tour of South Africa, which included a win over South Africa.  Bedford gave a great account of themselves with the Saints taking a 17pts – 12 half time lead, before running out as winners by 34pts – 22.

You can watch two Blues games for the price of one this Saturday, October 18th.

The Blues Academy are in action first when they welcome the Northampton Saints Academy. The game kicks off at 12 noon at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barker’s Lane, Bedford, MK41 9SB. Blues supporters can watch the Academy take on Saints (admission is free) and still get to Goldington Road to enjoy the Ladies Day, and Happy Hour, prior to the Blues B&I Cup home game with Cross Keys, which kicks off at 3.00 pm.

Bedford Blues Academy put in a fine performance to overcome a strong Oxford University U21 XV to win 14 - 32 at Iffley Road..

The Academy made it three wins on the bounce having beaten St Joseph's College, Ipswich, last weekend and an RAF U23 team the week before.

For full match report see ..... here

In a game of three 30 minute periods Bedford dominated the first two periods, before losing the third, but ended as winners by 52pts – 34 against St. Joseph’s College Ipswich.  With both sides taking the opportunity to use about 30 players the game gave both sets of coaches the opportunity to try some different players and combinations.

For Match Report see .... here

In a tough game against the older RAF U23 side the Blues took a half time lead of 14pts – 10, playing up the slope, before scoring five second half tries to win by 45pts – 10.


For Match Report see ..... here

Photos ... ©bgrphotography

The Blues Academy are in action at home this week when they welcome the RAF U23 XV to Goldington Road. KO 2.30 pm, Saturday September 20th.  This is the first of two fixtures against the RAF U23 XV the Blues Academy are playing this season, as the RAF prepare for the Inter-Services tournament later this year.

The Blues Academy were beaten by an outstanding Leicester Tigers side at the Tigers training ground at Oadby.  The Tigers opened their scoring with a close range try from England U18 captain, No 8 Charlie Beckett, before going on to score three further tries in the first half, to take a half time lead of 26pts – 0.  Five further tires in the second half gave them a convincing win by 59pts - 0.  With a number of England U18 squad, just returned from an unbeaten tour of South Africa, in their team, the Tigers were too strong for a Blues Academy side who, although well beaten, never gave in.

After a cancelled game last weekend, the Blues Academy are back in action with a tough away game against Leicester Tigers Academy.  The game is at the Tigers training centre at Oadby, with a 12 noon kick off.

In the pack hooker Owen Griffiths, prop Josh Waller and flanker Oli Robinson return.  In the back line Chris Easton returns at scrum half and Ben Meaden at centre.  The Blues are captained from No.8 by ex-Dulwich College captain Felix Maddison.

Blues Academy Director Denis Ormesher said …. “Playing away at Tigers is one of our toughest games of the season.  They are one of the best RFU funded Academies, and always give us a tough test.”

Congratulations to ex-Blues Academy captain, Tom Williams, who makes his Blues senior debut at loose head prop tomorrow in the Blues first Championship league game of the season, away to Nottingham.

Tom captained the Blues Academy in the 2006/07 season leading them to victory in the 2007 National Colts Cup Final at Franklin’s Gardens, when they beat Redruth by 30pts – 5.  This was the first Blues National Colts Cup win; the first of a run of five wins in six years, before the Blues withdrew from the tournament after winning it in for the fifth time in May 2012.