News

Friday night lights return to Goldington Road this Friday 20th March with an added mini beer festival in the Blues Marquee as Mike Rayer’s men prepare to face Cornish Pirates for the fourth time this season (Kick Off 7:45pm).

Following defeat against Yorkshire Carnegie last time out, the Blues will be hoping to bounce straight back against the West Country outfit, who will be looking to even the tables having lost two of the three encounters against Bedford this season.

Celebrate the start of another rugby season in style with the Bedford Rugby Followers’ Association at their annual Summer Ball on Saturday 25th July in the Blues Marquee.

A fun filled night at Goldington Road is guaranteed for all with a black tie dinner and dance, as well as the chance to get your hands on some great prizes through the Followers’ raffle, auction and games.

Following a narrow 15-8 defeat to Yorkshire Carnegie last time out, Blues playmaker Steffan Jones believes correcting basic errors and confidence amongst the team are both vital components in exacting victory over Cornish Pirates at Goldington Road this Friday 20th March (KO 19:45).

The former Newport Gwent Dragons player said: “The mood in the changing rooms after last week’s game was one of disappointment. We didn’t take our chances when they presented themselves while Carnegie took their opportunities well. We were disappointed with the result because we knew that we could, and should, have done better.

In this exciting year of rugby with the World Cup coming to England, Bedford Blues are pleased to announce their 2015/16 Season Ticket packages offering supporters the chance to enjoy another enthralling Greene King IPA Championship and B&I Cup season at Goldington Road with frozen prices and additional benefits when purchased before the end of May.

Blues supporters are urged to show their support for the Club by taking advantage of an early bird discounted Season Ticket for all competitive league and cup pool stage matches.

After a run of 12 wins stretching back to October, it was unlucky 13 for the Blues Academy away at Loughborough University on Saturday.  With the Blues original opponents, Loughborough University Freshers, playing England Counties U18s in a training game, the Blues faced an older students side with players mainly from the 2nd and 3rd year, who were 2 – 3 years older than the Blues squad.  The Blues took a narrow, but deserved, lead of 10pts - 8 at half time, but performance dropped off in the second half as they went down to a 32pts – 10 loss to the older students side.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Greene King IPA Championship Clubs have today announced a new five year agreement which will see an uplift in central funding, further strengthening the partnership between the two parties for the continued growth of the second tier.

The RFU will increase its central funding of the competition to include a range of elements, designed to further enhance the second tier of professional rugby.

The Blues Academy take on another older students side this week when they travel to play Loughborough University on Saturday.  With the Blues original opponents, Loughborough Univ Freshers, now playing England Counties U18s in a training game, the Blues will face an older students side with players mainly from the 2nd and 3rd year, who will be 2 – 3 years older than the Blues squad.

Bedford make three changes to the starting lineup that beat Moseley two weeks ago.  In the pack Hayden King returns at tight head, with Charley Robinson moving to the bench, and Zach Scott-Grey returns at No.8.  In the back line Dylan Leney starts at scrum half, with Olly Venni moving to the bench. 

Bedford have been leap-frogged in the Championship by Yorkshire Carnegie after a 15-8 defeat in Leeds on Sunday afternoon writes Bedfordshire on Sunday.

Blues drove up north looking for a vital win after just one victory in their last six games, with just one place separating them and Carnegie in the table.

Steffan Jones, Mike Le Bourgeois, Darryl Veenendaal, Paul Tupai and Hayden Thompson-Stringer all returned to the starting fifteen, while Luke Baldwin was named on the replacements bench after re-joining the club on loan from Bristol.

After a weekend off, Bedford Blues return to action as they travel to Leeds on Sunday afternoon to face Yorkshire Carnegie in Round 17 of the Greene King IPA Championship.

Bedford and Yorkshire Carnegie last met back in November in a ‘Friday Night Lights’ encounter  at Goldington Road when typical bad English weather made for a difficult game for both sides. Carnegie got the scoring underway with David Doherty dotting down in the corner but it wasn’t long before Bedford replied through Darryl Veenendaal. Penalties were exchanged before an all-important Jim Wiglesworth try in the 50th minute was converted by Jake Sharp to secure a 15-10 victory.

Bedford Blues will be opening its gates on Sunday April 26 to some of the most talented young rugby players in the country as it hosts an inaugural Under 19s 10-a-side tournament.

The invitational competition - which came to fruition following discussions between Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer and Academy Director Denis Ormesher - is designed to showcase the player development work being carried out by a number of Championship Clubs as well as providing a competitive end of season focus for those taking part.