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Match Report v Saracens Storm
Bedford Blues concluded their pre-season preparations in the perfect fashion thanks to a near faultless 47-33 victory over Saracens Storm.
Blues were on top in every key statistic and department throughout a pulsating contest at Goldington Road which resulted in 12 tries - seven of which to Mike Rayer's side - in a real 80 point thriller.
A nasty looking injury to Dean Adamson was the only blemish on an otherwise vintage afternoon in the Bedfordshire sunshine - and ideal preparations for the team ahead of beginning their Championship campaign next weekend.
Not intent on resting having been chosen to have a bye weekend first up, Blues took to the field as the rest of the second-tier kicked off their campaigns. And they sent an ominous message to the rest of the Championship who may have been taking note when burstign into a 28-point lead inside the opening half hour.
Saracens had barely got out of their own half before starign right down the barrel of a four-try deficit as Blues took the game right to the five time Premiership and three time European champions and set the tempo from the get go.
Luke Frost and Matt Worley both scored twice - all converted by Will Maisey as Blues mixed grit up-front with classic running rugby out-wide as Sarries were completely bamboozled by the energetic start and left lickign thier wounds.
Frost was first to get the scoring up and running with a clever snipe from 2m out, before Worley scored his double first through a nice passage of play to set him away then intercepting a loose pass from the shellshocked visitors. Frost soon got his second thanks to a domiant maul.
Blues were simply outstanding at scrum-time thrroughout the game and, mixed with a few uncharacteristic errors from Saracens, set the tone perfectly to build what turned out to be an unassailable lead.
Saracens did pull one back to make it 28-7 at half-time through their captain Andy Christie but that was just about all they did in the opening 40 minutes.
Blues continued their imperious nature just three minutes after the interval as Pat Tapley extended the scoring. Maisey was at his vintage best all afternoon and this was the perfect example as he nudged it through the Saracens back line and the winger did the rest.
Both sides made a whole host of changes midway through the half and that seemed to inspire Saracens more as they began to make a comeback. Ben Harris became the third player to score twice to get Saracens back on their way before Toby Knight also dotted down.
Sandwiched between Harris' two tries was Blues' sixth just to ensure that the scoreboard never got too close, again the driving maul worked to advantageous effect and we think Jack Hughes was the man to get the ball down amidst a host of bodies on the Sarries try line.
All that made it 40-28 but Blues put the game to bed in terms of result five minutes before the end. Maisey again set it up, sending it wide through Tapley then Andre Robson before the perfect offload sent Louis Grimoldby under the posts.
Eroni Mawi completed the scoring by bundling over from close range but that didn't take the shine of the performance as Blues concluded pre-season preparations in perfect fashion.
Next Stop: Championship Rugby & Jersey Reds. We're on our way!
*Matchday photography by Patrick Anthonisz - anthonisz.photography.*
