News

REPORT | Premiership Rugby Cup opener ends in defeat

Posted: 9th September 2023

Bedford Blues went on a shark hunt but were left covered in crimson after a comfortable 47-12 victory for Sale at AJ Bell Stadium.

It was a case of what might have been and had Blues been more ruthless with their moments near the try line, it could have been oh so a different scoreline as an inability to stamp down their authority eventually proved fatal.

At least four chances went abegging with the tryline at the mercy of Mike Rayer’s side, but credit to Sale who put in a strong defensive performance and put the pressure on at the critical moments to force the mistakes.

Three of the hosts’ tries came from breakaways as Blues struggled to regroup when the ball went to ground, the Sale half-back pairing of Nye Thomas and Tom Curtis running the show for Alex Sanderson’s men throughout with some impressive forward displays to add.

Blues kept going, even when the scoreline became by far and away out of their reach, and they continued to implement the style of rugby we all know and love. Rewarded with two tries through James Lennon and Sean French.

The scoreline reflects a huge gulf in the game and a huge amount of regret that the contest wasn’t as close as the action probably suggested. Blues will dust themselves and get ready for Newcastle under the Friday Night Lights.

A few walking wounded is a concern. But Bedford will be back – stronger and better than ever.

*Matchday Photography by Andrew Field Photography*

Teams

BEDFORD BLUES

15. Matt Worley, 14. Pat Tapley (48'), 13. Ethan Grayson, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey (56'), 9. Alex Day (C)(8'); 1. Joey Conway (48'), 2. James Fish (48'), 3. Oisin Heffernan (40'), 4. Robin Williams, 5. Alex Wolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Jac Arthur (48'), 8. Joe Howard

Replacements

16. Jacob Fields (48'), 17. Jamie Jack (48'), 18. Bryan O'Connor (40'), 19. George Patten (66'), 20. Cameron King (48') (66'), 21. James Lennon (8'), 22. Louis Grimoldby (56'), 23. Sean French (48')

SALE SHARKS

15. Telusa Veainu (54'), 14. Obi Ene, 13. Connor Doherty, 12. Luke James (46'), 11. Alex Wills (28'), 10. Tom Curtis (C), 9. Nye Thomas; 1. Tumy Onasanya (50'), 2. Ethan Caine (60'), 3. Cal Ford (40'), 4. Ben Bamber, 5. Alex Groves (50'), 6. Ewan Murphy, 7. Tristan Woodman (65'), 8. Rouban Birch

Replacements:

16. Harry Thompson (60'), 17. Ross Harrison (50'), 18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (40'), 19. Josh Beaumont (50'), 20. Yande Nkonge (65'), 21. Will Wootton (54'), 22. Sam James (46), 23. Arron Reed (28')