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REPORT | Tough afternoon as Blues suffer defeat to Ealing

Posted: 6th November 2021

Bedford Blues produced a spirited second-half performance at Goldington Road but Ealing Trailfinders' dominance in the first 40 minutes ultimately gave the visitors a 50-14 victory in-front of another packed crowd.

Tries from Dean Adamson and Championship debutant Jake Garside, both converted by Will Maisey, ensured Blues became the second team after Ealing to score 200 points in this season's Championship, but it was a tough afternoon overhaul as the league leaders showed their mettle.

Blues were better than the 38-0 half-time score suggested but too many errors in and around the dangerous areas of the field meant they couldnt capitlaise on their territory with points. On the other hand, Ealing were ruthless to have their bonus point wrapped up after half hour.

Their six first-half tries came courtesy of Matt Gordon (2), David Johnston, Simon Uzokwe (2) and Shaun Malton as they scored with pretty much every opening and really put Bedford to the sword. Steven Shingler added five conversions

Other sides would have completely collapsed but Blues did show thier fighting spirit to great effect to at least with the secodn half 14-12 but it was ultiamtely too little, too late to have any points on the board for their troubles.

Adamson's well worked try ensured he moved onto 85 in his Bedford career, while he and Ethan Grayson both had further scores ruled out as Blues rallied early in the second half.

Ealing put more scoreboard pressure on through the bulldozing Rayn Smid and a run in for winger Charlie Walker as they continued their imposing form following real beatdowns of Coventry and London Scottish in the past two weeks.

Blues did have the final say on the scoreboard as Jake Garside marked his Blues and Championship debut with a 30m sprint to the line following good work from Jordan Onojaife, Joe Atkinson and Bedford Man of the Match, Jamie Elliott.

Things to work on ahead of Cornish Pirates at The Mennaye on 20th November, following a reserve week coming up with no fixture scheduled.

Blues Assistant Coach, Jake Sharp said: “We feel it was a very positive second-half performance. But against as good a side as Ealing, we can’t afford to hand them the sort of start they got.

“That first-half was pretty humbling for our lads because Ealing came out of the blocks very fast, and we didn’t deal with it. The positive is that we sorted out the scrum in the second half with the same players so that’s excellent, because it shows we can problem solve on the field.”

*Matchday photography provided by Matt Fleming*

Teams

BEDFORD BLUES

15. Rich Lane (C), 14. Pat Tapley, 13. Jamie Elliott, 12. Ethan Grayson (48'), 11. Dean Adamson (54'), 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (62'); 1. Joey Conway (56'), 2. Reece Marshall (62'), 3. Corrie Barrett (73'), 4. Luke Frost, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Bailey Ransom (48'), 7. Joe Atkinson, 8. Tui Uru (48')

Replacements

16. Jack Hughes (62'), 17. Josh Pieterse (73'), 18. Osman Dimen (56'), 19. Oli Stedman (48'), 20. Jordan Onojaife (48'), 21. Jake Garside (62'), 22. Louis Grimoldby (48'), 23. Matt Worley (54')

EALING TRAILFINDERS

15. David Johnston, 14. Charlie Walker, 13. Max Bodilly, 12. Matt Gordon (68'), 11. Luke Daniels, 10. Steven Shingler (70'), 9. Craig Hampson (75'); 1. James Gibbons (55'), 2. Shaun Malton (68'), 3. Lewis Thiede (55'), 4. Bobby De Wee, 5. James Cannon (68'), 6. Jack Digby (40'), 7. Simon Uzokwe, 8. Rayn Smid (C)

Replacements:

16. Jan-Henning Campher (68'), 17. Dylan Smith (55'), 18. Kyle White (55'), 19. Simon Linsell (68'), 20. Malon Al-Jiboori (40'), 21. Jordan Burns (75'), 22. Craig Willis (70'), 23. Reuben Bird-Tulloch (68')