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MATCH FOCUS | Blues look for response at Nottingham
Bedford Blues will be looking for a strong end to the 2021/22 Championship campaign as they begin to prepare for their final three league fixtures, starting with a trip to Nottingham on Sunday (KO 3pm).
You can still buy tickets direct from our hosts who are staging their Ladies Day festivities on matchday; simply click here to join us on the road and turn Lady Bay blue on matchday!
Big Game Preview
The two sides will meet again in just six weeks’ time in the First Round of the Championship Cup so there is more than league standing up for grabs on match day by securing some early bragging rights heading into the double header in April.
But the league is the main focus until the end of the campaign as Mike Rayer’s side look for as strong a finish as possible when trying to pip Hartpury to fifth position. The top four might now be out of reach, but it’s important to be carrying upwards momentum heading into the post-season.
Craig Hammond’s Nottingham have been consistent at home this campaign, including taking promotion chasing Ealing Trailfinders and Jersey Reds mightily close in recent weeks. They head into the game having secured back-to-back victories for the first time this season and will be looking to extend their winning run further on Sunday.
We’ve Met Before
A traditional rugby fixture between two historic sides; Bedford Blues and Nottingham have squared off against each other on 105 competitive occasions. Throughout history Bedford have dominated, excluding Nottingham’s 1980s heyday, the Blues have registered 70 wins to Nottingham’s 32 alongside two draws.
Bedford won the first meeting between the two sides nearly 130 years ago with a convincing 25-0 home victory on 25th November 1893. They also hold the highest winning margin in this fixture, with a 53-0 win coming at Goldington Road on 10th September 1949.
The two sides famously met in the Championship Play-Off Semi-Finals in 2012/13; Bedford advancing to face Newcastle Falcons in the final after a 26-17 home success and a 23-21 victory on the road.
However, Nottingham have been solid in-front of their home support in recent years with Blues going in search of a first success at lady Bay since 2018.
Matchday Coverage
If you’re not heading with us to Lady Bay, we’ve got you covered! Continue to show your support by joining in the conversation on matchday. Send us your photos and messages using #BluesFamily across all our social media platforms.
Head to Twitter for our live feed and much more, including post-game video features and the result of the Followers Man of the Match award. Pre-game checkout our Instagram channel for live content as the teams arrive.
Don’t forget, tickets remain available from our hosts simply by clicking here.
