News

REPORT | Blues win to start pre-season

Posted: 23rd August 2024

Bedford Blues ran in six tries to kickstart their pre-season campaign on the best possible footing thanks to a 34-24 victory over Blackheath.

Mike Rayer's side were far from their best but showed glimpses of what's to come in the 2024/25 Championship season. Squaring off against a Blackheath side contesting their third fixture of pre-season, you could see signs of the visitors' additional cohesiveness and they will be a threat in National One throughout the campaign.

In the end, Blues' Championship experience shone through in an end to end affair in which both sides had their moments.

The high point saw another try for the ages from the lads as eight players got hands on the ball in a blistering counter attack that saw James Lennon dot down - Michael Le Bourgeois in particular excelling within the move.

Lucas Titherington and Tommy Herman dotted down their first scores in Blues colours, as did Reuben Logan who put in a Man of the Display by grabbing a brace. Bedford's longest serving current player, Pat Tapley also got in on the act to complete the scoring.

Kicking was certainly a shaky area of the performance - just two of the six tries were converted - but an important hit out nonetheless as preparations for the 2024/25 campaign ramped up.

Forwards Coach, Tom Cruse said: “The crossover from training has been pleasing but of course, there’s areas we can work on. Loads for us to get after in the coming weeks as we look towards Saracens and Northampton to complete pre-season.”

Teams

BEDFORD BLUES

15. Louis James (52'), 14. Alfie Garside, 13. Jamie Elliott (52'), 12. Lucas Titherington (52'), 11. Pat Tapley (52'), 10. Joel Matavesi (Maisey 52'), 9. Alex Day (C) (40'); 1. Joey Conway (40'), 2. Tommy Herman (52'), 3. Oisin Heffernan (40'), 4. Rory Ward (40') (62'), 5. Alex Woolford (62'), 6. Fred Tuilagi (52') (78'), 7. Jac Arthur (62'), 8. Cameron King (78')

Replacements

Jamie Jack (40'), James Fish (52'), Bryan O'Connor (40'), Luke Frost (40'), Reuben Logan (52'), Henry Nanka-Bruce (62'), James Lennon (40'), Will Maisey (52'), Dean Adamson (52'), Sione Vaenuku (52'), Michael Le Bourgeois (52'), Matt Worley (52')

BLACKHEATH

15. Augustin Slowik, 14. Jake Lloyd (52'), 13. Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas, 12. Jake Hennessey (50'), 11. Tom Jones, 10. Tom Ffitch (52'), 9. Jordan Burns (52'); 1. Will Davis (60'), 2. Billy Harding (60'), 3. Andrew Boye (60'), 4. Tom Stradwick, 5. Mike Etete (52'), 6. Josh Smart, 7. Noah Sloot (50'), 8. Tom Baldwin (C)

Replacements:

Alex Witchell (60'), Archie Holland (60'), Rory Marsh (60'), Tex Cavubati (52'), MIke Hoyt (50'), Jack Daly (52'), Oli Burgess (50'), Matt Armstrong (52'), Matt Dalrymple (52')