Academy News

The draw for the 2016 Bedford Blues Under 19s 10-a-side competition was made nearly a fortnight ago before the Blues’ first team fixture against Ealing Trailfinders.
 
The draw was made by Geoff Irvine, Chairman of Bedford Blues and the Greene King IPA Championship Clubs Committee, and Ian Baggott, President of the East Midlands Referees Society, for only the second tournament of its kind.  Following last year’s successful tournament, Bedford Blues host the event again on Sunday 24 April at Goldington Road.
 

After a strong start the Blues Academy went in at half time 12 pts all, before allowing Ealing in to the game in a mistake ridden 2nd half, to see Ealing win by 22pts – 12.

Bedford started well showing strong running and good support play.  With the Blues pack on top they were first to score when, from a tap penalty, hooker Charlie Robinson drove over from close range.  Ealing responded straight from the kick off.  They won a lineout on the Blues 22, and the Ealing scrum half made 20 metres before he was stopped. 

With the Blues first team at home to Ealing Trailfinders at Goldington Road, the Blues Academy U19s travel to take on the Ealing Academy U20 side on the same day in the capital.

With a number of players out due to injury, the Blues make six changes to the starting line-up that played Loughborough University in their last game. 

In the pack Ben Thompson starts at prop, Reuben Pritchard starts at flanker with Charley Harvey and Mozez Gunda returning from injury in the second row and at No.8 respectively.  In the back line Max McMinn starts at fly half and Paul Aguele returns at centre.

Bedford Blues will again be hosting a national Under 19s 10-a-side tournament on Sunday 24 April following the success of last year’s event as the Club help showcase some of the most talented young rugby players in the country.

The invitation competition proved a superb initiative last season with Bedford Blues Academy narrowly clinching the title having defeated Worcester Warriors in the first round and Nottingham in the final with their only loss of the tournament against East Midlands.  

GAME CANCELLED DUE TO WATERLOGGED PITCH

The Blues Academy welcome Moseley Academy to Goldington Road on Saturday, KO 2.00 pm.

The Blues make a number of changes to the starting line that lost to Loughborough University U21 last week.  In the pack, Ben Thompson and Leon Patel-Champion return at prop with Charley Harvey and Callum Strachan at 2nd row, and Tim Herbert starting at flanker.  In the back line Max McMinn starts at fly half with Ben Phillips moving to centre.  Paul Aguele returns at centre with Jack Gibbs moving to full back.

Bedford Academy were down by 19pts – 0 at half time to an older, more physical, University side before putting together a better second half to lose by 38pts - 14.

Bedford were slow to start the game and the students played a more physical game to score three first half tries and lead by 19pts – 0 at half time.

The Blues Academy travel to play the Loughborough University Under 21 XV on Saturday, Kick Off is at 2.00 pm.

The Blues make eight changes (two of them positional) to the starting line that lost to Wasps Academy last week.  In the pack, Charley Robinson starts at hooker, with Cameron Lawes and Jacob Moody in the second row, with Callum Strachan moving to flanker.  Reuben Pritchard starts at flanker.  In the back line Max Titchener starts at centre and Matt Shacklady on the wing.  Scrum half Olly Howard captains the side.
 

Bedford Academy found the RFU funded Wasps Academy too strong for them, conceding two tries in the first half, and two in an improved second half, to lose by 24pts – 0 under lights at Goldington Road.

The game started at a fast pace with both sides wanting to play open rugby.  Bedford’s discipline continued to let them down, and with two consecutive penalties costing them 60m, and giving Wasps a good attacking position, Wasps scored their first try when a driving lineout sucked in the Blues defence allowing Wasps to score on the blind side. 

The Blues Academy are at home on Wednesday night under lights at Goldington Road, when they welcome the Wasps Academy, Kick Off is at 7.45 pm.

The Blues make eight changes (two of them positional) to the starting lineup that lost to East Midlands U20s last week.  In the pack, Charley Robinson moves to prop, with Michael Bond at hooker, Henry Peck is at prop and Charley Harvey at 2nd row.  In the back line Olly Howard returns at scrum half, and captains the side; Paul Aguele moves to inside centre with Jack Gibbs at 13 and Tom Fawssett on the wing.
 

With the pitches at Wellingborough School waterlogged, the Blues Academy U19s game against East Midlands U20s was rearranged at short notice and held on the synthetic pitch at Tresham College, Kettering.  Bedford were down by two tries to one at half time (14pts -7) before eventually losing by 26pts – 24.