News

REPORT | Blues suffer defeat on Derby Day

Posted: 13th April 2024

Bedford Blues' three game winning run in the Championship came to an end on home soil as Dean Adamson set more history in the 29-24 defeat to Ampthill.

In truth, Blues only have themselves to blame as they passed up multiple opportunities in the second half and could have won the game twice over. Credit to Ampthill for their defensive solidarity - particularly when down to 14 men and under the pump - but dress nothing up, this was a wasted opportunity.

Ampthill led pretty much from start to finish in terms of the scoreboard pressure, but they were hanging on at the end. Blues couldn't deliver a fatal knockout blow.

Mike Rayer's side knew the challenge they were going to face on Derby Day, particularly with Ampthill having the help of 10 Saracens players in their matchday squad. Two of those - Samson Adejimi and Toby Knight - were probably the difference in the game.

Adejimi is probably Championship Rugby's most in-form player at the moment - he's been in the Championship Clubs Podcast Team of the Week for what feels like every time in the past month, and his double set Ampthill towards a healthy 26-12 half-time lead.

Blues were good in parts but struggled to get out of first gear on too many occasions. Sean French marked his return to the side with a well taken try and a lovely bit of movement set Matt Worley into the clear.

In the second half, Blues upped it in terms of territory and possesion and Adamson's 100th Championship try should have set them on their way to a potential comeback.

But it was an error strewn performance, and they couldn't take advantage of Ampthill kicking the ball to touch thinking the clock was up as they made a mess of the final set piece and drive.

Ampthill probably deserved it in the end, some wounds to lick for Rayer's side who need a response at Coventry next weekend just to give them breathing space again on the sides chasing the Top Four. Two points this aftenoon will help their quest somewhat, but this was a huge missed opportunity to go second.

Rayer conceded: "We’re very disappointed. We had enough chances to win the game, so we’ve got to look at ourselves and why we didn’t have the ability to turn pressure into points.

“Ampthill were clinical. We had a great start to the second half and should have used that as a platform to kick on.”

Teams

BEDFORD BLUES

15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois, 12. Joel Matavesi (74'), 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C) (74'); 1. Joey Conway (54'), 2. James Fish (78'), 3. Bryan O'Connor (50'), 4. Emeka Atuanya (19'), 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Henry Pollock (57'), 8. Cameron King (61')

Replacements

16. Jacob Fields (78'), 17. Jamie Jack (54'), 18. Oisin Heffernan (50'), 19. Robin Williams (19'), 20. Joe Howard (61'), 21. Jac Arthur (57'), 22. James Lennon (74'), 23. Louis Grimoldby (74')

AMPTHILL

15. Tom Bacon, 14. Francis Moore, 13. Oli Morris, 12. Fraser Strachan, 11. Brandon Jackson, 10. Josh Barton (70'), 9. Charlie Bracken (71'); 1. James Flynn (49'), 2. Samson Adejimi (65'), 3. Alec Clarey (57'), 4. Ollie Stonham, 5. Iwan Shenton, 6. Izzy Moore-Aiono (54'), 7. Toby Knight, 8. Morgan Strong (C) (72')

Replacements:

16. Ben Chapman (65'), 17. Sam Crean (49'), 18. James Johnston (57'), 19. Griff Evans (72'), 20. Syd Blackmore (54'), 21. Joe Green (71'), 22. Gwyn Parks (70'), 23. Josh Skelcey