News

REPORT | Valiant Blues fall to defeat

Posted: 21st October 2023

It was a valiant effort from Mike Rayer’s side against the title favourites but ultimately disappointment on opening day as Ealing Trailfinders secured a 41-21 victory at Goldington Road.

You cannot question the effort, desire or fortitude from the squad as they showed some unbelievable glimpses of what they can do, but ultimately they fell afoul of the whistle on too many occasions to get a result on the right side of the scoreboard.

Playing at one stage with 13, then another with 14, it was a heroic defensive performance during those periods, but the physical and mental aptitude required was taxing and eventually caught up in the legs as Ealing took charge in the second half.

To go through all that and be just five points behind with ten to play is encouragement enough to suggest this side can pull up some trees this season.

Assistant Coach, Jim Henry said: “Ealing are a very good side and if you make that many errors against them, you’re going to get punished.

“The lads dug in and showed a lot of fight to stay in the contest. But you have to be at your absolute best to have any chance and we let the game get away from us. You can’t criticise the effort from the team, that’s the minimum standard, and we just need to look at correcting those wrongs in the coming weeks.”

Blues flew out of the traps and struck first thanks to a fifth of the season from Sean French inside four minutes. Another score from Kieran Curran showed the intent from Blues but it was an opening 40 minutes mostly played in Bedford’s half.

The defensive unity kept Ealing at bay for a long time but they nudged themselves in-front at the break thanks to a double from Cian Kelleher and another from the former Blue, Reuben Bird-Tulloch.

Into the second half and it didn’t quite have the same drama or excitement as the first. But a lovely sweeping Blues move saw them go through the hands into Michael Le Bourgeois and Jac Arthur, eventually ending up with Ethan Grayson to dot down and make it 26-21 in Ealing’s favour.

A penalty from the standout Craig Willis took the bonus point away and further tries from Barney Maddison and Max Bodilly gave the scoreline more of a gap than was probably justified.

Attentions quickly turn to Cornish Pirates next weekend as Blues seek to return to winning ways.

*Matchday Photography by Dan Fennell and Simon Fraser*

Teams

BEDFORD BLUES

15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois, 12. Jordan Venter (56'), 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey (71'), 9. Alex Day (C) (71'); 1. Joey Conway (45'), 2. James Fish (60'), 3. Oisin Heffernan (45'), 4. Robin Williams (52'), 5. Jordan Onojaife, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Kieran Curran (40'), 8. Cameron King

Replacements

16. Jacob Fields (60'), 17. Jamie Jack (45'), 18. Bryan O'Connor (45'), 19. Emeka Atuanya (52'), 20. Jac Arthur (40'), 21. James Lennon (71'), 22. Louis Grimoldby (71'), 23. Ethan Grayson (56')

EALING TRAILFINDERS

15. Tom Collins (75'), 14. Jonah Holmes, 13. Reuben Bird-Tulloch, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Cian Kelleher, 10. Craig Willis, 9. Craig Hampson (72'); 1. Will Goodrick-Clarke (60'), 2. Mike Willemse (60'), 3. Biyi Alo (45'), 4. Bobby de Wee, 5. Barney Maddison (C) (75'), 6. Will Montgomery (75'), 7. Ollie Newman (64'), 8. Rayn Smid

Replacements:

16. Matt Cornish (60'), 17. Kyle Whyte (60'), 18. Jimmy Roots (45'), 19. Andrew Davidson (75'), 20. Josh Taylor (75'), 21. Lloyd Williams (72'), 22. Max Bodilly (75'), 23. Richard Hardwick (64')