Academy News

The Blues Academy scraped a narrow win over Loughborough University U21 XV, in monsoon-like weather at Goldington Road on Saturday.  Down by 5pts – 3 at half time, the Blues scored early in the second half to win by 8pts – 5.

The game started, after a One Minute Silence in recognition of Remembrance Sunday, in very heavy rain, which persisted for much of the game. Handling for both sides was extremely difficult, as the ball, like the proverbial bar of soap, skidded around Goldington Road. 

Bedford supporters have the chance to watch the Blues Academy at home on Saturday, when they welcome Loughborough University U21 XV to Goldington Road.  The game is at Goldington Road, with a 2.30 pm Kick Off.  The bar is open, admission is free, and England vs the All Blacks is on TV.

The Academy face the Loughborough students on the back of an impressive three wins in eight days;  against Oxford University U21 XV, Wasps Academy and the RAF U 23 XV.

Bedford again use their squad rotation system and make 8 changes to the starting lineup that beat the RAF U23 XV.

Congratulations to ex-Blues Academy players Lawrence Rayner, and Kieran Hallet, who are both named in the Championship XV squad to face Canada at Worcester’s Sixways ground today.

Lawrence Rayner, who played in the Blues Academy squad in 2010/11 season, before moving to play at Old Albanians, and is now at Plymouth, starts at fly half.  Kieran Hallett was in the Blues Academy from 1982 – 84 before he made his debut for the Blues 1st XV as a 19 year old.  He played Ireand U19s, and U21s, Plymouth and Nottingham, before joining Cornish Pirates in 2012,  and is called up to the Championship XV bench.

With a 20pts – 8 win over the RAF U23 XV, away at RAF Halton, to add to their wins over Oxford University U21s last Saturday and Wasps Academy U19s on Wednesday, the Blues Academy completed an impressive three wins in eight days.  The RAF are in the final stages of preparation for the Inter-Services competition which takes place at the end of November.  

With a number of players missing because of representative games (East Midlands, Eastern Counties and Surrey), and a number missing due to injury and availability, the Blues made eight changes to the starting lineup that beat Wasps.

After wins against Oxford University U21s and Wasps Academy U19s this week, the Blues Academy have their third game in eight days when they travel to play the RAF U23 XV at RAF Halton on Saturday.  The game is at RAF Halton (directions below) with a 2.30 pm Kick Off.  Bedford beat the RAF U23 side six weeks ago by 45pts -10 at Goldington Road.  The RAF are in the final stages of preparation for the Inter-Services competition which takes place at the end of November.

Bedford again rotate their squad and make eight changes to the starting lineup that beat Wasps.

Bedford Academy beat the Wasps Academy on a miserable wet night by 13pts - 12 at Goldington Road.  Playing down the slope, with the weather behind them, the Blues took a lead of 13pts – 5 at half time through a dominant forward performance, before Wasps fought back in the second to narrow the gap, but leave Bedford with a 13pts – 12 win.

For Match Report see .... here

After a 18pts – 7 win over Oxford University U21 XV on Saturday, Blues supporters have another chance to support the Blues Academy when they welcome the Wasps Academy to Bedford on Wednesday October 29th.  The game is at Goldington Road, Kick Off 7.30 pm.  The bar is open, and admission is free.

Bedford make 13 changes to the starting lineup that beat Oxford University.

After a 18pts – 7 win over Oxford University U21 XV on Saturday, Blues supporters have another chance to support the Blues Academy when they welcome the Wasps Academy to Bedford on Wednesday October 29th.  The game is at Goldington Road, Kick Off is at 7.30 pm.  The bar is open, and admission is free.

Bedford make 13 changes to the starting lineup that beat Oxford University. 

For Match preview and squad news see ... here

With a tough game coming up against the Wasps Academy at home on Wednesday, the Blues Academy made wholesale changes for their home game against the Oxford University U21 XV.  Ahead by 8pts – 0 at half time the Blues ended as winners of an entertaining game by 18pts – 7 at Goldington Road.

For Match Report see …. here

With the Blues away to Doncaster this weekend, Blues supporters have the chance to support the Blues Academy, when they take on the Oxford University U21 XV on Saturday, at Goldington Road, Kick Off 2.30 pm.  The bar is open, and admission is free.

This is the second encounter this season against the students.  The Blues beat the University in their away fixture three weeks ago by 32pts – 14.   Oxford are in preparation for their annual Varsity game at Twickenham against Cambridge University on December 11th.