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REPORT | Double Derby Day Delights
It was the perfect afternoon at Ellgia Fields as both Bedford Blues and Bedford Blues Women secured victories over Cambridge on a dominant Derby Day.
Alivia Usher Harris stole the show in the curtain raiser, while it was a full team performance from the men’s side as a solid defensive display saw them to victory to complete the clean sweep.
You couldn’t really have written a better script for an historic afternoon that saw both senior sides play on the same day as each other for the very first time, with the maximum five point haul for Mike Rayer’s side the perfect icing on the cake on what was a fantastic day of rugby.
Cambridge Women 15 – 43 Bedford Blues Women
A dominant victory in the end but a tough encounter against a Cambridge side who caused their own share of the problems in-front of a healthy crowd in the midday kick-off.
But when you’ve got the key axle that includes Usher-Harris – who scored four – and captain Lucy Middleton – whose kicking threat is better than anyone else at these sorts of levels – you can grind down your opponents and pull away towards the end.
Blues Women nilled their opponents in the second half which is something they’ll be extremely proud of considering they were under a lot of pressure, particularly early doors, with Cambridge exploiting their wing threats to good effect.
There were seven tries in total for Blues Women, and 10 overall in the game, as Middleton also dotted down for a personal tally of 13, while Heidi Lawson got her customary try and Esme Fish added a first of the campaign off the bench.
Another tick in the box as they keep marching on this season, and the perfect preparation actually for what will be a joyous afternoon next weekend, as they host Stockwood Park in the End of Season Title Party. Buy tickets for just £2 and join us at Goldington Road on Saturday.
Cambridge Men 12 – 22 Bedford Blues Men
Not quite as free flowing a game as the first, but a massive performance nonetheless in a gritty and attritional performance.
The blood, mud, sweat and tears on the jerseys post game showed they were in a real contest. Cambridge are an unbelievably strong side up front and Rayer’s side had to fight adversity straight in the face, particularly in the first half amid an onslaught towards their try line.
From conceding 41 points at Hartpury, to just 12 this time out, how they managed to get to half-time without conceding was because of an immense defensive shift, and Sean French’s try gave them a 5-0 lead at the break.
They couldn’t have a second half like the first, the pressure just would have gotten too much, and they were like men possessed after the break as tries from Dean Adamson and Will Maisey put them well in the clear.
Back came Cambridge from 15-0 down and a try out wide from Matty Williams set the nerves jangling amongst the huge swathe of visiting supporters who travelled to Ellgia Fields to support both sides.
A first of the season from Luke Frost secured all five points late on. Williams’ late second did nothing to dampen the spirits as Blues kept up their Top Four ambitions; particularly with Doncaster, Coventy and Hartpury all winning, and Cornish Pirates expected to add to that tomorrow.
If Carlsberg did Double Header Derby Days….
Bedford Blues Men Starting XV:
15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Jamie Elliott, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Bryan O’Connor, 4. Emeka Atuanya, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Cameron King
Bedford Blues Men Replacements:
16. Jacob Fields, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Oisin Heffernan, 19. Robin Williams, 20. Jordan Onojaife, 21. Kieran Curran, 22. James Lennon, 23. Jordan Venter
Bedford Blues Women Starting XV:
15. Emma Graham, 14. Gemma Cook, 13. Alyce Trude, 12. Emma Hunter, 11. Amy Winter, 10. Lucy Middleton, 9. Abi Wilkin; 1. Emry Bond, 2. Steph-Sarah McPhillips, 3. Millie Rennell, 4. Catherine Chambers, 5. Tara Adams, 6. Elena Famiglietti, 7. Bex Wright, 8. Alivia Usher-Harris
Bedford Blues Women Replacements:
Hanah Donovan, Lauren Mason, Emily McBarron, Heidi Lawson, Yaz Morrison, Esme Fish, Sophie Singleton-Sells, Naomi Stockham, Emily Wallbank, Natasha Taylor, Natalie Daly
