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REPORT | Thriller against Bristol Bears

Posted: 1st March 2024

A game played in a fantastic spirit at Goldington Road as Bedford Blues and Bristol Bears played out a 54-33 thriller under the Friday Night Lights.

63 players involved, 13 tries in total, a 3,000+ crowd in attendance at Goldington Road - exactly what you wanted to see between two sides with more than just pride at stake, and some unbelieveable rugby for the captivated audience.

Blues ultimately fell short in terms of the scoreboard but it wasn't for any lack of heart or desire as they tested themselves against the creme de la creme. You have to remember the squad Bristol brought with them contained over 1,000 Premiership caps, 500 Championship appearances and 121 occurences of international representation.

It really was a fantastic spectacle and showed what these two sides can produce against each other. There were 99 points when they last met on the hallowed turf, and 87 in this one for a real showcase of positive, attacking rugby.

For Bedford, Jake Garside will take the plaudits and his two tries were enough to secure the SDG Man of the Match award. Ewan Baker got his first in Blues colours, while Matt Worley and James Lennon also got in on the act.

Bristol's scores came from their star studded set of Gabriel Ibitoye (2), Steven Luatua, Noah Heward, Kieran Marmion, Deago Bailey, Sam Worsley and former Blue, Piers O'Conor.

Mike Rayer's side will take the positives and move on with haste to Cambridge next weekend knowing that a performance of the ilk of the Bristol game will see them over the line in many a Championship fixture.

Don't forget, it's a historic double header as Blues head to Ellgia Fields for the first time in competitive action - it's Cambridge Women v Blues Women at 12pm before the main event at 3pm.

Teams

BEDFORD BLUES

15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Jamie Elliott, 12. Jordan Venter, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Louis Grimoldby, 9. James Lennon; 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish (C), 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Jac Arthur, 7. Kieran Curran, 8. Cameron King

Replacements

Jamie Jack, Isaac Bell, Ed Prowse, Jordan Onojaife, Emeka Atuanya, Luke Frost, Geordie Irvine, Reuben Logan, Alex Day, Will Maisey, Jake Garside, Will Glister, Michael Le Bourgeois, Pat Tapley, Ewan Baker

BRISTOL BEARS

15. NAME, 14. NAME, 13. NAME (c), 12. NAME, 11. NAME, 10. NAME, 9. NAME; 1. NAME, 2. NAME, 3. NAME, 4. NAMEr, 5. NAME, 6. NAME, 7. NAME, 8. NAME

Replacements:

Tomas Gwilliam, Sam Grahamslaw, Andrew Turner, Steven Longwell, Jay Tyack, Jimmy Halliwell, Charlie Rice, Aaron Tull, Kofi Cripps, Magnus Bradbury, Sam Wolstenholme, Oscar Lennon, Sam Worsley, James Williams, Deago Bailey, Piers O’Conor, Jack Bates, Rich Lane