News

REPORT | Blues see off Army on Mobbs Memorial

Posted: 6th April 2023

A six try showing saw Bedford Blues sign off this current format of the Mobbs Memorial Match with suitable aplomb thanks to a 38-10 victory over The British Army.

On a reflective evening, commemorating the life of the great Lt Col Edgar Mobbs, Blues were in strong form to secure an eighth successive victory over the Army since beginning facing them across alternative years since 2011.

The game afforded Mike Rayer the opportunity to blood nine new faces into the #BluesFamily environment and while there were some teething problems in terms of cohesion and continuity, more explosive attacking rugby was again on show to secure victory.

Seán French scored his 17^th of the season as he continues a personal crusade towards 20 for the campaign – one a game will get him that feat with three huge fixtures to conclude the season.

Elsewhere, there were first tries in Blues colours by Corrie Barrett, Frankie Sleightholme, Craig Wright, Toby Cousins and Callum Burns.

The Army have brought their own style and passion to the fixture over the past decade and they again showed glimpses of what they can do, and will feel confident heading into their upcoming set of inter-services fixtures.

For Bedford, it’s all eyes immediately on Jersey who head to Goldington Road on Saturday 15^th April. Then it’s a final away game of the campaign to Ampthill (22^nd April) before the end of season party to conclude proceedings for another year against old rivals, Coventry (29^th April).

BUY TICKETS FOR REMAINING HOME MATCHES

Teams

BEDFORD BLUES

15. Sean French, 14. Frankie Sleightholme, 13. Jamie Elliott (C), 12. Toby Thame, 11. Pat Tapley, 10. Louis Grimoldby, 9. Gavin Williams; 1. Joey Conway, 2. Callum Burns, 3. Corrie Barrett, 4. Emeka Atuanya, 5. Obinna Nkwocha, 6. Jack Hughes, 7. Charles Rylands, 8. Geordie Irvine

Replacements

16. Craig Wright, 17. Lewis Holsey, 18. Osman Dimen, 19. Alex Woolford, 20. Andy Ince, 21. David Holdroyd, 22. Matt Arden, 23. Archie Kean, 24. Toby Cousins

THE BRITISH ARMY

15. MAJ Reeve, 14. SPR C McDonald, 13. RFN Qorowale, 12. BDR Davies, 11. SGT O'Reilly, 10. SPR Johnson, 9. 2LT Gliksten; 1. SGT Titchard-Jones, 2. BDR Austin, 3. SGT Smith, 4. PTE Kotobavalu, 5. SGT Lewis, 6. LCPL Vereti, 7. CAPT Ackers, 8. GNR Nayalo

Replacements:

16. SGT Brown, 17. LCPL Jenkinson, 18. BDR Westwood, 19. LT Mitchell, 20. LCPL Boladau, 21. SPR M McDonald, 22. LT Smart, 23. OCDT Kelly, 24. PTE Ratukadreu