News

REPORT | Super seven as Blues down Pirates

Posted: 21st January 2023

Bedford Blues continued their remarkable run of home form with a simply sensational performance to blow away Cornish Pirates with a 55-13 seven try demolition job at Goldington Road.

It was a performance that again showcased just how deadly Mike Rayer’s side can be with ball in hand, but they had to mix it up front as well with some mammoth defensive shifts with Pirates holding more possession than the scoreboard probably suggested.

Forwards Coach, Sean McCarthy said: “We’re very pleased. Pirates are a very good side, we had to front up and a lot of the things we spoke about in the week paid off. The link up between the forwards and backs was probably the best of the season which is really pleasing to see.

“I can’t remember the last time we did the double over them and to secure that at home in-front of a packed house is great. We’re building something really special here and we need to back it up next weekend against Caldy which will be another difficult test.”

Bedford led the contest from the moment they started the scoreboard ticking after just three minutes, and had the try bonus point wrapped up before the half-time interval.

It was almost telepathic between George Hendy and Matt Worley as they linked up to perfection to send the right winger over in the corner twice in the opening exchanges, before forwards duo Tui Uru and Joey Conway also got in on the act before the break. Pirates struggled to match the intensity and pace Bedford were playing at.

Will Maisey – who retained a 100% kicking ratio throughout the contest – added some conversions and penalties to make it 31-13 at the break as all of Pirates’ points came inside the opening 25 minutes.

Replacement scrum half Alex Schwarz made a neat snipe from a driving maul to ensure they at least crossed the whitewash once while Arwel Robson was also perfect from the tee.

In the second half, Bedford again found more gears to see out the performance – defending as a unit for large periods before picking their opponents off with quick ball and ferocity down the wings.

After such a bruising performance, it seemed somewhat fitting that the forwards contributed more tries than the back line as Robin Williams and Luke Frost carved neat lines after Jake Garside stepped up the tempo upon his introduction to the field.

Dean Adamson scored his customary try – a 112th overall for the club – to move up to joint fifth in the all-time Bedford Blues try leaderboard.

It ensured only a fourth ever league double over Cornish Pirates and first since 2018/19. WHAT A WIN!!!!!

Pirates Joint Head Coach, Alex Paver commented: “First and foremost, I thought Bedford played extremely well. They attacked and defended well at critical times, showed good energy, and a desperation that we couldn’t show.

“We looked flat and we were punished for it. Over the 80 minutes, we got what we deserved.”

*Matchday Photography by Kie Fewster - KeyEyeShoots*

Teams

BEDFORD BLUES

15. George Hendy (40'), 14. Matt Worley, 13. Tom Litchfield, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey (63'), 9. Alex Day (C) (55'); 1. Joey Conway (70'), 2. Jack Hughes (63'), 3. Corrie Barrett (55'), 4. Robin Williams, 5. Tom Lockett (55'), 6. Luke Frost, 7. Jac Arthur (63'), 8. Tui Uru

Replacements

16. Aston Gradwick-Light (63'), 17. Monty Royston (70'), 18. Ed Prowse (55'), 19. Charles Rylands (63'), 20. Kieran Curran (55'), 21. Jake Garside (55'), 22. Louis Grimoldby (63'), 23. Seán French (40')

CORNISH PIRATES

15. Will Trewin (40'), 14. Robin Wedlake, 13. Rory Parata (50'), 12. Garyn Smith, 11. Tommy Wyatt, 10. Arwel Robson, 9. Ruaridh Dawson (13'); 1. Marlen Walker (55'), 2. Will Crane (C) (63'), 3. Matt Johnson (55'), 4. James Fender, 5. Cory Teague (61'), 6. Seb Nagle-Taylor, 7. Alex Everett, 8. Rusiate Tuima (55')

Replacements:

16. Morgan Nelson (63'), 17. Jack Andrew (55'), 18. Harvey Beaton (55'), 19. Josh Williams (61'), 20. Will Gibson (55'), 21. Alex Schwarz (13'), 22. Carwyn Penny (40'), 23. Callum Sirker (50')