Academy News

With a 20pts – 3 win over the RAF U23 XV, away at RAF Halton, to add to their win over the Royal Navy U23 XV on Wednesday, and their loss to Wasps last Friday, the Blues Academy completed a tough three games in nine days.  The RAF are in the final stages of preparation for the Inter-Services competition which takes place this month.  Bedford made 8 changes (one of them positional) to the starting line that played the Navy on Wednesday.  The game was played in strong winds and driving rain, making the task versus an older and physical side even tougher.  The Blues took a lead at half time of 7pts – 0 before ending as winners by 20pts – 3.

After a close win by 9pts – 0 against the Navy U23 XV on Wednesday, the Blues Academy take on the RAF U23 XV on Saturday.

The Blues make 8 changes (one of them positional) to the starting line that played the Navy on Wednesday.  In the pack, Leon Patel-Champion and Henry Peck start at prop, Aubrey Grimes starts at hooker, Jacob Moody returns at second row and Callum Strachan at flanker.  In the back line Dylan Leney starts at scrum half and Ben Phillips at fly half with Harry Hutchins moving to centre.  The side will be captained by No. 8 Rahat Choudhury.
 

The Blues Academy beat the Royal Navy U23 XV by 9 pts – 0 at a very wet Goldington Road.

Bedford dominated the first 20 minutes but failed to score.  A combination of poor ball retention, poor decision making and good Navy defence kept the score sheet clean.  The Navy weathered the storm and pushed into the Blues half, and had a couple of penalty chances to score but missed narrowly. leaving the score 0-0 at half time.

The second half was more even territorially but it was the Blues who managed to score with two penalties from full back Liam Shields and one from winger Scott Lyle, to give them a 9pts – 0 win.
 

The Blues Academy welcome the Royal Navy U23 XV to Goldington Road on Wednesday night – KO 7.30 pm.

With a list of injuries and availability issues the Blues make 11 changes (two of them positional) to the starting line that played Wasps last week. 

The Blues Academy lost to the RFU funded Wasps Academy by 34pts – 17 at Maidenhead on Friday night.  After gifting Wasps three tries in the first half to go down 19pts – 3 at half time, Bedford improved their performance to score a couple of good tries in the second half but Wasps scored a good try in the opening and closing minutes of the half to end as deserved winners by 34pts – 17.

The Blues Academy U19 XV travel to Maidenhead Rugby Club on Friday night to take on Wasps Academy U18 XV (Kick Off 7.45 pm).

Bedford make six changes to their starting lineup (one positional) with hooker George Harris, prop Henry Peck, centre Harry Hutchins, and full back Max Titchener returning with Liam Shields moving to centre.  No. 8 Harry Peterkin (Oaklands College) makes his debut. 

Hoping to make their debuts off the bench are St Columba's College hooker Tom Kelly and Wymondham winger Charlie Blower. The side will be captained by prop Charley Robinson.
 

Ealing Academy have had to cancel Saturday's game between Bedford Academy and Ealing Academy due to player availability.  

The Scrum Bar will be open for the World Cup semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand which kicks off at 4 pm.

The Blues Academy travelled to Cambridge for their second game against an older students side in a week, to face the Cambridge University LX Club (the University’s 2nd XV) at Grange Road, Cambridge.  After a tight first half the Blues were 14pts - 5 down, before playing some good rugby in the 2nd half of an entertaining game to beat the University by 29pts – 24 at Grange Road, Cambridge.

The Blues Academy travel to Cambridge for their second game against an older students side in a week.  They take on the Cambridge University LX Club (the University’s 2nd XV) on Saturday October 14th at Grange Road, Cambridge.  KO is 2.00 pm.

Bedford make eight changes to their starting lineup (one positional) with hooker Michael Bond, prop Jack Culverhouse, flanker JonJo Fanning, scrumhalf Dylan Leney, fly-half Ben Phillips, centre Paul Aguele and full back Liam Shields all starting, and Jacob Moody moving to 2nd row. 

With Bedford slow to start, Loughborough students scored three first half tries to lead by 15pts – 0 at half time.  Bedford improved their performance in the last half hour to narrow the gap before losing by 25pts – 17. 

The first 20 minutes was a succession of errors from both sides, with poor discipline from the Blues gifting L’boro a string of penalties and field position.  Loughborough scored their first try after 25 minutes when full back Jack Stapley (who was with the Blues Academy last season) scored on the blind side.  L’boro scored two further tries in the next 10 minutes to lead by 15pts – 0 at half time.