News
REPORT | Blues stunned by Richmond comeback
Bedford Blues blew a 16-point half-time lead as Richmond made an almighty comeback in the second half to take the spoils 36-33 at The Richmond Athletic Ground.
A lot of what was so good from Mike Rayer’s side in the opening 40 minutes will ultimately be forgotten following a collapse after the restart. The team will have to re-group quickly ahead of a three-week Championship Cup window – including a return to the RAG in just six days’ time to face London Scottish.
It was so uncharacteristic that after such a fluid, explosive opening 40 minutes, Blues couldn’t get a shot away in the second half as Richmond repelled everything and gradually built themselves a platform from which to mount a comeback.
This will hurt the squad. Dean Adamson, as one example, was inconsolable at the final whistle. They feel the pain and will only use it as fuel to fire their outings in the first phase of the Championship Cup.
Richmond were like the bread of the sandwich, good at both ends to consume Bedford who, for the middle part of the game, showed their filling and substance.
The hosts were 12-0 up inside the opening exchanges after a fast start. Blues just didn’t seem to think defending the back field was necessary and that allowed the space for ex-Blue James Lennon, then Hamish Graham, to sprint home on the right side.
Blues needed to find something and find it they did as the ball barely left the Richmond half from that point until the half-time whistle.
Using the space to good effect, Joel Matavesi walked in a first score before Tui Uru went off the back of a scrum to crash over and put Bedford 14-12 to the good.
A yellow card for Toby Saysell had Rayer’s side smelling blood and they took advantage with quick-fire tries; Dean Adamson sprinting in from 60m for Blues Try Number 109 from 141 games, an Alex Day score soon followed as did a penalty try.
Richmond got one back to make it 17-33 at the break and it all seemed like a forgone conclusion and a walk in the park.
The hosts weren’t buying into that script, however, as they harassed Blues at every breakdown and prevented them getting back to their free flowing best after the restart.
It felt like a huge hit on Michael Le Bourgeois by Ntinga Mpiko, which got the crowd going for the first time, was ultimately the turning point as they started to get behind the team again and dream that it could be on.
Graham added a second, while Saysell also scored, but even still Blues were still four points to the good but on the ropes.
Richmond delivered the knockout blow in the 77th minute as replacement Zuriel Makele spotted the gap and raced home to send the RAG into delirium and leave Blues dejected.
Teams
BEDFORD BLUES
15. Sean French, 14. Pat Tapley, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois, 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Ehren Painter, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Jordan Onojaife, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Tui Uru
Replacements
16. Jack Hughes, 17. Lewis Holsey, 18. Corrie Barrett, 19. Tom Lockett, 20. Charles Rylands, 21. Jake Garside, 22. Louis Grimoldby, 23. Jamie Elliott
RICHMOND
15. Ted Landray, 14. Hamish Graham, 13. James Little, 12. Paul Kiernan, 11. Alex O'Meara, 10. Bill Johnston, 9. James Lennon; 1. Luke Spring, 2. Callum Torpey, 3. Jimmy Litchfield, 4. Will Carrick Smith, 5. Jake Monson, 6. Ethan Benson, 7. Toby Saysell, 8. Mark Bright (C)
Replacements:
16. Alex Post, 17. George Cave, 18. Ntinga Mpiko, 19. Sam Collingridge, 20. David Massey, 21. Stephen Kerins, 22. Tom Mills, 23. Zuriel Makele
REFEREE
Charles Gayther
ATTENDANCE
1,321
