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Match Report v Northampton Saints
Bedford Blues were more than a match for Premiership heavyweights Northampton Saints but they fell on the wrong side of the scoreboard at Goldington Road in a 40-21 defeat.
Mike Rayer's side arguably scored the standout tries on the night but it was in vein in terms of the scoreboard, although there were so many positives from facing our top-tier, full time Strategic Partners.
Discipline at the breakdown was a slight concern but this was again about ultimately building as a team and continuing to grow ahead of the Championship camapign, with only one more friendly to come against Ampthill next weekend.
As to be expected, Blues were pinned into their own 22m for long periods but they again demonstrated that heart and passion we've come to love at Goldington Road.
And it was the home side to open the scoring after an opening quarter of an hour stalemate. And the opening points were the best of the night. Firstly skipper for the campaign, Rich Lane, completed a lovely passage of play to break clear and when George Furbank put in the recovery tackle, Dean Adamson was on hand to dot down under the sticks.
Saints hit back immediately through Rory Hutchinson before beginning to control the middle part of the first-half.
One of our very own, Tom Litchfield - a former Junior Blues graduate and one of the players named in our core group for next season - was next to dot down for his parent club following another sweeping move, before Alex Mitchell put some clear daylight on the scoreboard.
That made it 19-7 in favour of the visitors at the break whcih was extended further by Blues falling asleep at kick-off and letting another one of the core contingent - Josh Gillespie - score under the posts.
If anything, that fourth Saints try galvanised Bedford more than it did the rampant visitors as Blues showed the key sort of grit and determination which could stand them in good stead across a Championship campaign.
Alex Day reduced the arrears when going quickly at a penalty to run in unopposed as Blues began to build momentum.
It wasn't long before we were back to vintage Bedford to get the scores back to 21-26. Adamson started and finished his second try of the night, sending it wide to Rich Lane and Matt Worley before completing another sublime score.
Bedford continued to pepper the Saints line but couldn't quite hold onto the ball at crucial times when being nudged back.
When throwing the kitchen sink at it chasing a scalp, Saints retaliated and put distance on the scoreboard through Tom Collins and former Bedford School boy, Fraser Dingwall.
A frustrating end to a quite simply breathtaking contest but all in all a good evening's work against a top class team. You'll win more games than you lose playing like that, that's for sure.
*All matchday photography provided by Claire Jones - redhatphoto.co.uk*
