News
MATCH FOCUS | Blues Women begin 2024 on the road
Bedford Blues Women continue their quest for immortality as they look to retain their perfect start to the campaign with one of the toughest tests they’ll face from a league perspective, on the road to Milton Keynes on Sunday (KO 2pm).
Support the team away from home with FREE entry for the trip to Buckinghamshire (Postcode – MK4 2DN).
Big Game Preview
Eddie Rennell and Peter Frost’s side are flying and head into the game seven unbeaten in all competitions, conceding just five points from the last two outings.
As it has been all season, this is another fixture with the potential to fully exorcise some demons after two disappointing defeats away at Milton Keynes in times gone by.
Top spot in the league table on Christmas Day was a huge recent milestone ticked off by the team, the challenge now becomes how they continue keeping the good times rolling, particularly with attentions spread across two front in league and cup.
Team News
Bedford Blues Women Starting XV:
15. Emma Graham, 14. Sophie Singleton-Sells, 13. Alyce Trude, 12. Emma Hunter, 11. Amy Winter, 10. Lucy Middleton (C), 9. Esme Fish; 1. Hanah Donovan, 2. Alivia Usher-Harris, 3. Millie Rennell, 4. Catherine Chambers, 5. Kelly Hodgson, 6. Elena Famiglietti, 7. Yasmin Morrison, 8. Bex Wright
Bedford Blues Replacements:
Lauren Mason, Heather Cousins, Megan Solomon, Gem Cook, Naomi Stockham
What follows this opening game of 2024?
One fixture later this month on home soil (St Neots – 21st), two in February and the league season finale in March will hopefully be joined by more than one cup clash as the side nominated for ‘Club of the Year’ in the recent Bedfordshire Sports Awards look to continue their status as a juggernaut at this level.
*Confirmation of the Round of 16 tie in the RFU Women’s Junior Cup will be announced on Monday.
Opposition Analysis
You’d have to say it’s now or never for Milton Keynes to keep their feint hopes of a title challenge alive with the side under no illusions that they will have to win this game, or be left out of the promotion picture.
One of the dominating forces last season, and only missing out on promotion because Peterborough really were too good for this level, they haven’t quite been able to replicate those heights again this term.
They’ve actually been mightily unlucky with the scheduling of their fixtures, seemingly being the side facing Hitchin on a week when their first team weren’t playing and therefore facing an altogether different prospect on that occasion.
Additional defeats to the league’s top two, Bedford and Harpenden, leave them in last chance saloon.
Follow the team to Milton Keynes
The match will take place at the Emerson Valley Sports Pavilion, postcode MK4 2DN with free entry for all spectators.
If you’re not heading across the counties to Buckinghamshire, we’ve got you covered! Continue to show your pride for the team by joining in the conversation on matchday using #BluesFamily to share your messages of support.
Head to all our social media channels for the matchday build-up. Our live feed during the match comes exclusively on Twitter!
