News
Match Report v Ampthill
Bedford Blues secured their first victory on the road in the Championship since January 2020 as they put neighbours Ampthill to the sword in a 12-try 53-34 thriller at Dillingham Park.
Blues were clinical in pretty much every department, the fact they won every single scrum - whether with or without the put-in - illustrates just how dominant they were in that part of the game and while the lineout wasn't as perfect, it gave the squad the platform to allow the backs to do the business.
Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer told BBC Three Counties Radio post-match: “I’m just really pleased with the execution of first-phase play. It was important we were clinical in that department because Ampthill are really good in broken play and winning penalties.
“Massive credit to the forwards today because the scrum went really well. It provided the ball for the backs to do the business. It’s great for Bedfordshire to have two teams in the second-tier and a really well supported fixture again, over 1,900 which is just fantastic.”
Blues led from the front from the first whistle as they never trailed in the tenth instalment of the Battle of Bedfordshire; Matt Worley grabbed a divine hat-trick, Pat Tapley scored twice while there were further scores from Emmanuel Iyogun and Jamie Elliott. It was a near perfect performance and ascended Blues into the top four in the Championship season.
A bye weekend next up is a frustration after two solid wins, but it gives the team a chance to re-charge the batteries ready for returning home to Goldington Road on Saturday 23rd October v Richmond. Buy tickets here.
The first two of Worley's hat-trick put Bedford 14-0 to the good before Ampthill had even got out of their own half. When they did, they made it count through winger Reece Dunn, before both sides traded penalties to leave the scores 17-10 in favour of Rayer's side.
A mesmerising score from kicker Russell Bennett - who was influential throughout and has been all season - got the hosts back level, but the respite wasn't for long as Emmanuel Iyogun went over with the last passage of play in the first-half thanks to a bulldozing run.
After the break, Blues took things up a gear. It was blink and you missed it kind of stuff as Blues ran in a further three tries inside 12 minutes to competely take the game from the hosts and charge towards victory.
A 90m interception try from Worley - which completed the hat-trick - got the scoring going again before Pat Tapley and Jamie Elliott also crossed to make it 43-17 on the hour.
Responses from former Blue Ewan Fenley and Josh Skelcey made the scoreline closer at the time but there was no stopping Blues who ticked over the 50 point mark as Tapley got his second - and fourth in three games.
A penalty try for Ampthill with the last passage of play ensured they had the final say on the scoreboard but it was Blues who took the spoils and with it, maintained their local bragging rights ahead of the return fixture in January.
*All matchday photography provided by Claire Jones*
Teams
BEDFORD BLUES
15. Rich Lane (C), 14. Matt Worley, 13. Jamie Elliott, 12. Tom Litchfield (55'), 11. Pat Tapley, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Connor Tupai (60'); 1. Emmanuel Iyogun (64'), 2. Reece Marshall (55'), 3. Ed Prowse (61'), 4. Brandon Nansen (46'), 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Bailey Ransom (46'), 7. Joe Atkinson, 8. Tui Uru (60')
Replacements
16. Jack Hughes (55'), 17. Joey Conway (64'), 18. Osman Dimen (61'), 19. Oli Stedman (60'), 20. Luke Frost (46'), 21. Karl Wilkins (46'), 22. Alex Day (60'), 23. Louis Grimoldby (55')
AMPTHILL
15. Joe Luca-Smith, 14. Reece Dunn (55'), 13. Tom Hudson, 12. Oliver Hartley, 11. Josh Skelcey, 10. Russell Bennett, 9. Ollie Wynn (46'); 1. Zach Nearchou (55'), 2. Billy Harding (70'), 3. Harvey Beaton (Lutui 46'), 4. Charlie Beckett, 5. Llewelyn Jones, 6. Ollie Stonham, 7. Joe Bercis (48'), 8. Morgan Monks (46')
Replacements:
16. Aleki Lutui, 17. Sam Crean (55'), 18. Jack Dickinson (48'), 19. Matt Wilkinson (70'), 20. Jac Arthur (46'), 21. Ewan Fenley (46'), 22. Josh Sharp, 23. Joe Goodchild (55')
REFEREE
Hamish Smales
ATTENDANCE
1,924
