News

REPORT | Clinical Blues down Hartpury

Posted: 10th March 2023

Bedford Blues strengthened their grip on the Top Four places with a clinical showing to rip through Hartpury University and win the battle of 4th v 5th thanks to a 35-14 success at The Alpas Arena.

Mike Rayer’s side have been gaining plaudits all season for their home form, but they turned that into a divine away showing to rip apart their hosts and open up a healthy lead on those trying to chase them down in fourth. The gap stands at ten points although Doncaster could reduce that with a game in hand.

Blues Forwards Coach, Sean McCarthy said: “It was really good to get a complete performance. Our defence at times was fantastic and it needed to be against a Hartpury side who are a really good outfit this year.

“We want to keep on rolling, keep this momentum going again next week. There are things to work on and we’ll be going back to drawing board for some aspects of our game. We’re targeting a big finish this season.”

A game decided by Bedford’s ruthlessness when inside the 22 saw them again secure a bonus point after a stunning start to the second half that saw 21 unanswered points in a ten-minute blitz that took the game from Hartpury.

It was a much more cagey affair in the first half as both sides elected to put boot to ball, with close to 80 kicks from hands inside the opening 40 minutes. George Hendy in particualr dealt with a lot of the high ball pressure, but kudos too for Alex Day, Will Maisey and Sean French who threw counter punches and forced the Hartpury mistakes.

Hartpury struck first as Brad Denty went over in the corner but they couldn’t press down on the accelerator when on top of the game as Bedford’s defence held firm.

Blues grew into the game and turned things on its head to lead 14-7 at half-time thanks to tries from front row duo, Joey Conway and James Fish.

Conway’s yellow for a reckless high tackle could have changed the course of the game but Blues pressed home the advantage despite being down a man to lead 35-7.

Sean French scored his fifth from just two games to add to scores from the returning George Hendy and Joel Matavesi.

Harry Short helped reduce the deficit but that could take the shine off a simply superb performance which continues Bedford's purple patch of form.

Man of the Match, Will Maisey added: “For the first 40 minutes, we weren’t really on the money. Coaches gave us a talking to, some direction and it came together for us and paid off. Really happy to get the result we probably deserved across the full 80.”

Teams

BEDFORD BLUES

15. George Hendy, 14. Sean French, 13. Ethan Grayson (67'), 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey (67'), 9. Alex Day (C) (67'); 1. Joey Conway (67'), 2. James Fish (67'), 3. Oisin Heffernan (67'), 4. Robin Williams, 5. Luke Frost, 6. Kayde Sylvester, 7. Kieran Curran (53'), 8. Tui Uru

Replacements

16. Jack Hughes (67'), 17. Monty Royston (67'), 18. Ed Prowse (67'), 19. Emeka Atuanya (67'), 20. Charles Rylands (53'), 21. Rory Brand (67'), 22. Louis Grimoldby (67'), 23. Jamie Elliott (67')

HARTPURY UNIVERSITY

15. Jacob Morris, 14. Matt McNab, 13. Jack Bates (57'), 12. Will Butler (29'), 11. Brad Denty, 10. Tommy Mathews, 9. Matty Jones (63'); 1. Joe Wrafter (63'), 2. Will Tanner (55'), 3. Jon Benz-Salomon (69'), 4. Jack Davies, 5. Dale Lemon (63'), 6. Sam Lewis, 7. Ollie Robinson (55'), 8. Joe Howard

Replacements:

16. Luke Stratford (55'), 17. Tom Sims (63'), 18. Sam Rodman (69'), 19. Ben Glynn (63'), 20. Harry Short (55'), 21. Owen Randell (63'), 22. Sam Smith (57'), 23. Harry Tarling (29')