December 2015

It was a Boxing Day blockbuster at Billesley Common as Bedford Blues came out on the right end of a roller-coaster of a match against Moseley to consolidate their play-off position in the Championship with a 24-31 win, writes Bedfordshire on Sunday.

The Blues eventually out-scored their hosts five tries to four as both sides made light of the blustery conditions to put on a real spectacle for the crowd.

The match turned in the first eight minutes of the second half as two tries by full back Piers O'Conor helped Bedford turn a 14-12 half-time deficit into a 24-14 lead.

Bedford Blues hopes of reaching the knock out stages of the British & Irish Cup were boosted on Saturday evening when they picked up a 34-17 bonus point win over Bristol.

Following last Friday’s 52-8 reversal, you could have been forgiven for expecting the worst when Andy Robinson’s men arrived at Goldington Road but the Blues clearly learnt from the previous encounter, cut out the mistakes, reduced the penalty count and ran in five superb tries to seal a thoroughly deserved victory.

Bedford Blues will be looking for an immediate response in the British & Irish Cup after suffering a 52-8 defeat away at Bristol last Friday.

At the midpoint in the pool stages, Bedford face Bristol once again but this time at Goldington Road on Saturday afternoon with the Blues looking to put right the wrongs of last weekend.

The Blues make nine changes from last week’s team with Piers O’Conor, Pat Tapley, Ollie Dodge and Henry Taylor starting in the backs while Alex Lundberg, Biyi Alo, Mark Flanagan, Nick Fenton-Wells and Paul Tupai come into the pack.

Starting line-up:

After Friday’s defeat at the hands of league leaders Bristol Rugby at Ashton Gate, Mike Rayer’s men are focused on a revenge mission against Andy Robinson’s side as Bedford aim to record their second win over the champions elect this Saturday in the British & Irish Cup at Goldington Road (Kick Off 3pm).

The festive fixture is tantalisingly setup with both sides firmly in the race to the knockout stages, the winner will remain in pole position, whilst the loser faces an uphill battle with Ulster joint on points with Bedford on 9, whilst Bristol lead with 10.