News

REPORT | Blues rampant in victory over Nottingham

Posted: 27th November 2021

Bedford Blues returned to winning ways in dominant fashion as Dean Adamson's majestic hat-trick helped Mike Rayer's side to a 40-9 victory over Nottingham at Goldington Road.

It was a completely vintage performance as Blues excelled in every department on the field, accustomising themselves perfectly to the conditions caused by Storm Arwen, with a near perfect 80 minutes that saw them jump back up to 5th in the Championship table.

A number of knock ons is definitely a work on but this was Blues back to their effervescent best after two tough fixtures with a back line - that contained four Bedford born former Junior Blues members - firing on all cylinders.

Adamson took the plaudits with the Man of the Match award but it really could have been anyone on the field standing in-front of the cameras, with a solid set-piece and immense defensive performance from the pack perfectly complimenting the free-flowing rugby.

It didn't take Blues - or Adamson - long to get off the mark as they were in the corner after just 10 minutes. On their first venture into opposition territory, the forwards stayed calm under resilient defence to gradually build towards the line before Rich Lane helped it on its way to get the scoreboard started.

In parts, Nottingham imposed their game but they were constantly met with a solid blue wall in their way. When Blues did buckle and give away a soft error, Nottingham went for the posts and Elliot Bale reduced the arrears to 7-6 after 20 minutes.

It wasn't too long until Blues were over the line again. It was the perfect epitomy of what Rayer has always wanted to do, exciting the crowd with free-flowing rugby that saw Jamie Elliott - donning a scrum cap - break the resistance.

Another kick from Bale made it 14-9 at half-time as Blues remained patient with the wind against them, before unleasing in the second half heading down the slope to great effect.

It took Adamson just four minutes to get his second when finishing off a sweeping move, collecting the ball out wide after a good six or seven passes that swept through the hands and bamboozled the Nottingham defence.

On the hour, it was Will Maisey's turn to take centre stage as he ensured that his spell away from the top of the Championship points standings didn't head into a second week. He'd promised it six weeks ago, and now he finally delivered with the try that his performances this season have warranted, crashing over despite a last-ditch tackle.

Blues finished with a flurry to ensure not only a positive points difference in the league standings but a morale boosting scoreboard ahead of going to old rivals Coventry next weekend.

Adamson completed his hat-trick as Lane notched his third assist of the afternoon, before Pat Tapley got in on the act with the last passage of play. Replacement Louis Grimoldby added the two conversions.

There's no such thing as perfect in sport, but this was a mighty good effort as Bedford let their free-flowing attacking rugby do the talking while fronting up in defence to brush Nottingham aside.

*Matchday Photography provided by Claire Jones - RedHatPhoto*

Teams

BEDFORD BLUES

15. Rich Lane (C), 14. Pat Tapley, 13. Jamie Elliott (64'), 12. Tom Litchfield, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey (68'), 9. Alex Day (59'); 1. Corrie Barrett (53'), 2. Jack Hughes (68'), 3. Osman Dimen (53'), 4. Luke Frost, 5. Alex Woolford (68'), 6. Oli Stedman (55'), 7. Joe Atkinson, 8. Tui Uru

Replacements

16. Josh Pieterse (68'), 17. Joey Conway (53'), 18. Ed Prowse (53'), 19. Tom Lockett (68'), 20. Bailey Ransom (55'), 21. Connor Tupai (59'), 22. Louis Grimoldby (68'), 23. Ethan Grayson (64')

NOTTINGHAM

15. Jack Stapley, 14. Luke Hibberd, 13. Elliot Creed, 12. Morgan Bunting, 11. Harry Graham, 10. Elliot Bale (59'), 9. Michael Stronge (60'); 1. Toby Williams (55'), 2. Jake Farnworth (C) (59'), 3. Ben Betts (55'), 4. Jack Ramshaw, 5. Jose Andrade (55'), 6. Scott Hall (59'), 7. Carl Kirwan (68'), 8. Suvwe Obano

Replacements:

16. Archie Vanes (59'), 17. James Whitcombe (55'), 18. Josh McNulty (55'), 19. George Cox (55'), 20. Lewis Barrett (59'), 21. Matt Marsh (60'), 22. Sam Hollingsworth (59'), 23. Charlie Thacker (68')