News
REPORT | Blues Women start league exploits in defeat
It was a frustrating return to Goldington Road for Bedford Blues Women who began their NC2 Midlands (Central) Division campaign in defeat with a 53-0 reverse against a strong Peterborough Ladies outfit.
On another day, it could have been so different but sometimes you just run into an opposition in-form and with the wind at their sails as the visitors ran in nine tries to top the table at this stage.
St Neots and Royston were also victorious in the other divisional fixtures from the first round of games.
There will be lots of learnings from the past two weeks – which also saw a narrow defeat in the Women’s Junior Cup to St Neots – but it’s important to find the positives and use them as a platform to rebuild the season around.
Peterborough are an extremely established side. Formed in 1995, they’ve spent much of the past decade in various NC1 divisions and showed that experience of life in a higher division. You have to remember Bedford have only played five competitive fixtures together before this one and will no doubt continue to build as the campaign continues.
The visitors – who had the sister of former Blue Jon Phillips in their side – were clinical when they got ball in hand and you have to give them massive credit for the way they refused to exit through the boot and built from one end to the other with lethal intent.
Tries were scored by Cheryl Smith (2), Lucy Gimson, Ellie Bath, Jess Pearce, Nat Elliott, Maddy Buckland, Debbie Woolley and Eve Hilliam-Cooke, while Buckland chipped in with four conversions.
There’s still 13 league fixtures – and at least one more cup game – to contest this season and the squad will only grow the longer it continues. A disappointing injury for their captain, Emma Graham, is a challenge to overcome moving forward but they’ll be back firing on all cylinders sooner rather than later, no question.
They look for an instant response at St Neots next weekend (Sunday 2nd October – PE19 1RU) while they are next at home in a real local derby against Biggleswade two weeks later, this time hosted at Bedford Athletic on Wentworth Drive.
Bedford Blues Women Starting XV:
Bex Young, Amy Winter, Emily Wallbank, Martina Sharp, Tabitha Everett, Lucy Middleton, Esme Fish; Emily McBarron, Alivia Usher-Harris, Lauren Mason (C), Kelly Hodgson, Cat Chambers, Laura Woodfield, Heidi Lawson, Emma Hunter
Bedford Blues Replacements:
Sophie Riley, Megan Solomon, Natalie Daly, Abi Wilkin
*Matchday Photography provided by FennellTakesFotos*
