REPORT | Five star Bedford defeat Scottish

Posted: 14th January 2023
 

Bedford Blues made the dream start to life in 2023 by retaining their place within the Top Four of the Championship table thanks to a bonus-point 34-13 victory over London Scottish.

Mike Rayer’s side made comfortable viewing on the scoreboard in the end but the truth was anything but as both sides battled it out amid testing conditions and for large parts of the contest, it could have gone either way.

Blues were effective when they got ball in hand and showed they could play tactically as well when needed – there were a lot more periods of kicking for territory than has become accustomed to but it was required to build platforms and allow the side to get the job done.

Following an attritional opening 40 minutes, Blues were probably lucky to have a lead at the break but went in 17-13 to the good thanks to a late Will Maisey interception try. The fly-half did well to read the game and step inside when Scottish tried to capitalise on their dominant passage of play rather than kicking into touch.

After a suspicion on crossing, it was the hosts who took the lead through Hayden Hyde after 13 minutes.

Blues fought back and chipped away at the scoreboard though a Will Maisey penalty before taking the lead for the first time thanks to an inaugural try for Tom Lockett as the big second row rode the wave of the challenges to crash to the line from close range.

An instant response from Nathan Chamberlain from the tee made it 10-10 before the late drama in the half.

Into the second half and it was very much another scrappy affair, but sprinkled with some magic from the Blues who stood firm for large periods in defence and picked off their opponents when giving time and space inside the 22m.

With his parents in attendance, Bedford born former Junior Blues graduate Tom Litchfield scored his first try for his boyhood club by riding two challenges and crashing his way to the line.

Jack Hughes continued his recent run of form and Michael Le Bourgeois also got in on the act to make it a fantastic start to 2023.

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