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REPORT | Valiant effort in Milton Keynes defeat
Bedford Blues Women put in another valiant and spirited effort on the road but it sadly wasn't enough to take the points as they were edged out 29-22 by Milton Keynes Women.
It was again another show of grit and determination, further highlighting the effort put in by the squad, and they can take so much from this against a side who have been second all season and look unstoppable apart from when they play champions elect, Peterborough.
To go from the 43-8 defeat at Goldington Road to pushing them all the way just four months later, particularly on the road at a new stadium, and limited playing numbers due to injury then it's a morale boosting result ahead of the league run in.
Darryl Veenendaal and Peter Frost's side have also been massively unfortunate that due to cancellations and walkover victories, they had only played once in 12 weeks and to come in from the cold against a formidable side was always going to be difficult. So to run them so close is testament to the performance.
The game again highlighted just how important having a reliable goal kicker is and Lucy Middleton's seven points is another outstanding haul and it was again a fine captain's display, controlling and dictating the play to pull the strings from fly half.
Blues scored three tries in the first 40 minutes to build up a 22-10 lead and it was built from leading on the front foot from the word go, Natasha Taylor and Martina Sharp particularly effective in the backs division while the set piece again functioned well with Cat Chambers and Player of the Match, Emily McBarron getting the plaudits up front.
Milton Keynes scored first before Blues hit back to level things up pretty early on. Middleton again set the tone and set in motion a neat move across the line to send Emma Hunter over in the corner.
They fell behind for a second time but again picked themselves up off the canvas to lead at HT. Taylor made a neat mazy run through the midfield to score her first try for the team, while centre Jemma Langton also reached the line.
The home side had to do something and in fairness to them, they found another gear in the second half to complete the turnaround. Two yellow cards didn't help Bedford's cause but they fought hard with 14 to make it difficult for Milton Keynes who needed all they could muster to grind it out.
For such a fledgling side, another impressive performance that should be used as a springboard into the home games which follow next month.
Next on the agenda: Back to back fixtures at Goldington Road vs Rugby Lionesses (12th March) then St Neots Ladies (25th March) before concluding the season on the road at Peterborough (2nd April).
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Natasha Taylor, 14. Emily Wallbank, 13. Martina Sharp, 12. Jemma Langton, 11. Amy Winter, 10. Lucy Middleton (C), 9. Esme Fish; 1. Gina Anstee, 2. Steph-Sarah McPhillips, 3. Emily McBarron, 4. Catherine Chambers, 5. Emry Bond, 6. Kelly O’Flaherty, 7. Bex Young, 8. Emma Hunter
Replacements:
Megan Solomon, Elena Tipton
*Matchday Photography by Roy Long and Emma Graham*
