News

REPORT | French scores four as Blues run riot

Posted: 3rd March 2023

Sean French scored a majestic four tries as Bedford Blues finally banished their Doncaster Knights hoodoo with a crushing 48-25 victory at Goldington Road.

These two sides played out a 42-42 draw in the Championship Cup just two weeks ago but there only looked like one winner under the Friday night lights as Mike Rayer’s side ripped their opponents to shreds and finally secured victory over Doncaster at the fourth time of asking this season.

It ensured the total tally for points in clashes between the pair this season concluded at 275 with more attacking intent on display at Bedford’s home fortress.

Man of the Match, French said: “That’s the most fun I’ve had on a rugby field probably since my Ireland U20s days. We have the license to play, particularly at home, and that’s the reason I joined Bedford last Summer.

“You have to have a smile on your face after a game like that, scoring four, that was a very special night for the club.”

Bedford were only behind for a matter of minutes in the game as the Championship’s leading marksman, Will Maisey quickly cancelled out Alex Dolly’s opening penalty.

Two quick fire tries from Ethan Grayson and Oisin Heffernan had Blues 15-3 to the good and they never really looked back from that point in spite of Doncaster trying on numerous occasions to get themselves back into the contest.

John Kelly ensured he continued his run of scoring in every appearance against Bedford midway through the first-half but French’s first of the evening made it 22-13 at the break.

He scored his second shortly into the second period as Blues pushed down on the accelerator, with Alex Day also getting to the line before the hat-trick was completed and the fourth ticked off the list in-front of a rapturous Goldington Road.

In response, Doncaster failed to land too many punches including a barren run with Bedford down to 14 men – only having tries from George Edgson and Rhys Tait to show for their second half display as they failed to pick up any points on the road and slip to 6^th in the table.

Director of Rugby, Rayer added: “Really happy for the lads. It was really tough up front, scrums an issue at times, but our lineout and defence were excellent. We denied a very good attacking side that bonus point which is pleasing.”

Teams

BEDFORD BLUES

15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Ethan Grayson, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois (59'), 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey (76'), 9. Alex Day (C) (76'); 1. Joey Conway (72'), 2. Jack Hughes (46'), 3. Oisin Heffernan (59'), 4. Robin Williams, 5. Luke Frost, 6. Kayde Sylvester (59'), 7. Jac Arthur (30'), 8. Tui Uru

16. James Fish (46'), 17. Lewis Holsey (72'), 18. Ed Prowse (59'), 19. Tom Lockett (59'), 20. Kieran Curran (30'), 21. Rory Brand (76'), 22. Louis Grimoldby (76'), 23. Jamie Elliott (59')

DONCASTER KNIGHTS

15. Maliq Holden, 14. George Simpson, 13. Joe Margetts (63'), 12. Connor Edwards, 11. Jack Metcalf, 10. Sam Olver (C), 9. Alex Dolly (72'); 1. James Wayland (63'), 2. George Edgson (59'), 3. Jake Armstrong (59'), 4. Ehize Ehizode, 5. Max Williamson, 6. Sam Hudson (40'), 7. Rhys Tait (68'), 8. John Kelly (76')

Replacements:

16. Will Holling (59'), 17. Kai Owen (63'), 18. Karl Garside (59'), 19. Theo Vukasinovic (40'), 20. Jared Cardew (68'), 21. Will Yarnell (72'), 22. Billy McBryde (63'), 23. Adam Hopkinson (76')