News
MATCH FOCUS | Huge cup clash for Blues Women
The Road to Twickenham continues on Sunday for Bedford Blues Women as they complete a Goldington Road Rugby Weekender by welcoming Hucclecote Ladies in R16 of the Women’s Junior Cup (Gates Open 12pm; Kick Off 2pm).
Big Game Preview
Blues Women head into the game on the back of nine successive victories across all competitions, and will be looking to make it into unprecedented waters by extending that record into double figures in-front of a raucous Goldington Road this Sunday.
Confidence couldn’t be any higher within the camp having secured the league title two weeks ago. While they’ve still got league records to achieve, focus is very much turning to the cup run and a potential visit to Rugby HQ.
Hucclecote, meanwhile, are locked in much more of a battle if they are to achieve promotion from their own NC2 division. It’s set to be a real clash of the titans on Sunday.
Team News will be announced on Friday morning.
What follows this cup clash?
Hopefully frantic looks at computer screens trying to work out who they’ll face in the Quarter Finals! The pathway to Twickenham is yet to be determined with each round looked at individually, although with this the second successive home cup fixture, you wouldn’t be surprised if Blues Women are put away from GR in the last eight.
As we’ve mentioned many times, the team is desperate to emulate the juggernaut of Peterborough 12 months ago by winning every league fixture in NC2.
Their final three fixtures are some of the toughest as they’ll likely face some of the Buckingham 1s squad next weekend (Sun 11 Feb @ GR), Harpenden (A) will be a huge test of character, meanwhile Stockwood Park for the End of Season Party should be a cracking occasion on home soil (Sat 16 Mar).
Dates for the Diary which we hope we’ll need: Cup Quarter Final (Sunday 3rd March), Cup Semi Final (Sunday 24th March) and the Showpiece (Sunday 12th May).
Opposition Analysis
In very much the same ilk as Stamford earlier in this cup run, next to nothing is known about Hucclecote Ladies before they head to Goldington Road this Sunday.
That’s not an unfamiliar feeling at this level but if anything, it makes the tie all the more intriguing with the players having to work it out themselves in the heat of battle.
What we do know is that Hucclecote know how to win on the road in knockout cup competition having done so in every round of the competition vs Luctonians (55-5), Cheltenham Civil Service (69-14) and Handsworth (19-10).
In fact, they’ve only completed one game at home this season in all competitions with a few walkovers and an abandonment thrown in for good measure. They are currently level with Dursley at the top of their NC2 South West (North) division with identical playing records of six wins, and one defeat.
Season Ticket holders go free!
Bedford Blues Season Ticket holders for 23/24 are entitled to free entry to all Bedford Blues Women home matches, including cup clashes. Simply bring your card or QR code with you to the gate for admission.
Tickets are just £2 when bought online, rising to £4 if purchased at the gate on matchday. Head online for the cheapest rates simply by clicking here and back the team with home support once again crucial.
The Scrum Bar will be the only venue open to grab a pre and post-match pint with all the usual favourites on offer – food will also be available from the serving hatch!
Only the Apron Seats within The M&J Group Stand will be in use on Sunday alongside pitch side standing room.
