News
REPORT | Blues sunk by resurgent Pirates
On a frustrating afternoon at The Mennaye, Bedford Blues suffered a 39-24 defeat to Cornish Pirates in a game they probably could, and should, have won before ill-discipline cost them dear.
Premiership heavyweights Saracens and Ealing Trailfinders are just two of the other sides to suffer defeat in Cornwall in 2021, such is Pirates’ dominance in-front of their vociferous supporters, but this was a game that was there for the taking but Mike Rayer’s side couldn’t capitalise.
There was still a whole host of heart, determination and courage on the field as Blues tried heroically to stem the tide with only 14 on the field for nearly an hour, but you give a quality side like Pirates so much time with a numerical advantage and they’ll make you pay.
Pirates started the better as Arwel Robson kicked two penalties to make it 6-0 early on.
Blues were aggressive at the restarts and forcing Pirates into all manner of error and they began to make the pressure count on the scoreboard in the middle part of the half.
Pat Tapley continued his purple patch of form when dotting down in the corner after 17 minutes, latching onto a smart kick through to get there ahead of the final defender.
Pirates responded with a try of their own before Blues got their second with what could quite easily be the Championship Try of the Week. After Ed Prowse skilfully flicked the ball up from the floor, the backs took into full flight to spread it wide to Will Maisey who kicked through for Alex Day to dot down.
That gave Pirates a narrow advantage but they shot themselves in the foot with a quite bizarre restart on the 22m, trying to play it before giving it back to Blues who had the simple job of getting to the line though Alex Woolford.
At that stage, Pirates were making too many errors for their own good but the game swung back in their favour just five minutes before the break when Jordan Onojaife was sent off for an off-the-ball offence.
Blues responded well to secure the bonus point through an evasive run by Dean Adamson, who crept closer to 100 tries in a Blues jersey, but it was a much tougher second half as Pirates turned the game on its head.
21 unanswered points in the second half ultimately did the damage as Blues were left with a sense of frustration and what could have been at a notoriously difficult place to go.
Nottingham are the next visitors to Goldington Road as Blues look to bounce back to winning ways; join us next Saturday by purchasing your tickets here.
*Matchday Photography by Claire and Tim Jones*
Teams
BEDFORD BLUES
15. Rich Lane (C), 14. Pat Tapley (72'), 13. Jamie Elliott, 12. Will Maisey, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Louis Grimoldby (72'), 9. Alex Day (70'); 1. Corrie Barrett (48'), 2. Jack Hughes (65'), 3. Ed Prowse (48'), 4. Jordan Onojaife, 5. Alex Woolford (55'), 6. Luke Frost, 7. Bailey Ransom (48'), 8. Tui Uru
Replacements
16. Josh Pieterse (65'), 17. Joey Conway (48'), 18. Osman Dimen (48'), 19. Oli Stedman (55'), 20. Joe Atkinson (48'), 21. Jake Garside (70'), 22. Matt Worley (72'), 23. Andre Robson (72')
CORNISH PIRATES
15. Carwyn Penny, 14. Callum Sirker, 13. Rory Parata, 12. Joe Elderkin (64'), 11. AJ Cant (72'), 10. Arwel Robson (77'), 9. Tom Kessell; 1. Jack Andrew (55'), 2. Tom Channon (55'), 3. Patrick Schickerling (55'), 4. Josh Caulfield, 5. Danny Cutmore, 6. Matt Bolwell, 7. John Stevens (15'), 8. Caleb Montgomery (73')
Replacements:
16. Syd Blackmore (55'), 17. Marlen Walker (55'), 18. Sam Rodman (55'), 19. Ed Scragg (73'), 20. Antonio Kiri Kiri (15'), 21. Alex Schwarz (72'), 22. Harry Bazalgette (77'), 23. Shae Tucker (64')
REFEREE
Dan Jones
ATTENDANCE
1,601
