News
REPORT | Blues give it everything but exit Champ Cup
Where do you even begin to start after that one? Bedford Blues gave it everything – and more – but unfortunately fell on the wrong side of an absolutely cracker against Cornish Pirates in the Quarter Final of the Championship Cup which was only settled after extra-time.
Mike Rayer’s side again did the club so proud on the traditional Ladies Day, but Pirates have just found a way to beat Bedford this season, coming from behind on all four occasions this term, including this afternoon for a 33-32 victory and 71-69 on aggregate.
It looked for so long that Bedford would be the team progressing to the Semi-Final, but Pirates just have our number it seems this season and therefore it’s them into the final-four. But what a tie – an absolute classic!
In terms of the actual match action, Blues came out of the traps with clinical intent when looking to overturn the narrow deficit brought into the fixture from The Mennaye last weekend. They led 20-7 at the break, thanks to a brace from Matt Worley, as Blues dominated the opening exchanges; George Hendy and Joel Matavesi were class to give the platform required.
Cornish Pirates fought back resiliently in the second half – particularly as they were going up the slope – adding scores from captain Nico De Battista and Syd Blackmore to the first-half score from Carwyn Penny.
That meant after 60 minutes it was 21-20 in favour of the Pirates but Blues were quickly back in the ascendency in the tie when Oli Stedman came off the bench to score.
You had that feeling it wasn’t going to be easy for either side and when Shae Tucker went over in the corner with four minutes to play, you just knew extra time would be forthcoming.
The fact that should the aggregate still be level after the 2x10 minute periods it would then go to tries scored – which meant Pirates had an extra advantage – ensured Blues really went for it.
Pirates stood firm and struck a sucker punch when really under the cosh and took a strong lead into the extra-time half-time break. It was Tucker again, going over in the corner but Carwyn Penny this time nailed the conversion to make the advantage a healthy one.
Blues needed something and when they need something, it’s normally Dean Adamson who delivers it and the genius delivered again. Sadly, no conversion came meaning Blues needed at-least a three point score to progress.
And they had the opportunity to do just that but the penalty drifted wide and left Goldington Road crestfallen.
An impressive 21/22 season – we’ll be back next season, don’t you worry about that.
Thank you to the #BluesFamily for your magnificent support this term.
*Matchday Photography provided by Claire Jones*
Teams
BEDFORD BLUES
15. George Hendy (53') (91'), 14. Matt Worley (91'), 13. Tom Litchfield, 12. Joel Matavesi (91'), 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey (74') (91'), 9. Connor Tupai (59'); 1. Joey Conway (62'), 2. Jacob Fields (62'), 3. Oisin Heffernan (62'), 4. Jordan Onojaife (74'), 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost (74') (86'), 7. Joe Atkinson, 8. Tui Uru (59') (74') (86')
Replacements
16. Jack Hughes (62'), 17. Corrie Barrett (62'), 18. Osman Dimen (62'), 19. Oli Stedman (59'), 20. Robin Williams (74'), 21. Connor Tupai (59'), 22. Louis Grimoldby (74'), 23. Jamie Elliott (53')
CORNISH PIRATES
15. Carwyn Penny (69') (74'), 14. Alex O'Meara, 13. Rory Parata, 12. Nico De Battista (C) (69'), 11. Tommy Wyatt, 10. Arwel Robson (74'), 9. Tom Kessell (62'); 1. Jack Andrew (65'), 2. Syd Blackmore (62'), 3. Alfie Petch (65'), 4. Cory Teague, 5. Danny Cutmore (62'), 6. Matt Bolwell, 7. Will Gibson, 8. Tom Duncan (40')
Replacements:
16. Morgan Nelson (62'), 17. Olly Adkins (65'), 18. Hayden King (65'), 19. Steele Barker (62'), 20. Rusiate Tuima (40'), 21. Alex Schwarz (62'), 22. Shae Tucker (69'), 23. Robin Wedlake (69')
REFEREE
Charlie Gayther
ATTENDANCE
2,600
