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REPORT | Second half dominance for Blues Women
Bedford Blues Women made a victorious start to their debut NC1 campaign thanks to a rousing second half performance in the 36-21 victory over Ipswich Women.
With a good handful of players making their competitive Bedford debut, and therefore a first experience of running out at Goldington Road, there was room for scepticism, particularly after a chastening defeat in pre-season to Shelford.
But Eddie Rennell’s side stood up to the test in-front of them to delight an, as usual, vociferous home support with a solid display.
A quick look through the history books suggests I have missed two games since Blues Women’s inception – both for running marathons abroad shamedly admitted – means a fairly seasoned assessment can be made of the performance.
And it would be only right to affirm that that was the best game of rugby Bedford Blues Women have ever been a part of since they formed back in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ipswich – affectionately known as Scorpions – played their part in making it a fantastic spectacle at Goldington Road. It was two sides – both bouncing off unbeaten campaigns in 23/24 – going at it from minute one and leaving everything out on the field.
Blood, sweat and tears. A whole host from the Bedford side who knew they had put in an almighty shift to start the season with maximum points.
Ipswich had the greater sting about them in the early exchanges and deservedly led at the break 14-12. They spent the majority of the first 40 minutes camped in Blues’ half and dotted down through Stephanie Durrant and a first from Felicity Cooper – who converted both and ran the show in the early exchanges.
Blues actually scored first, and ended the half with points, including a try after just 57 seconds from Natasha Taylor, who got her first in club colours.
They needed a bit of a spark in that opening 40 and they got it right on the stroke of half-time from one of the competitive debutants. Back row forward Laura Stephens deserved it for her sheer tenacity in the game, she was one of the walked wounded by the full time whistle but a result of a committed display.
When Cooper got, and converted, her second shortly after the second half got underway, you would be forgiven for fearing the worst. Heads could have dropped at 21-12, particularly with Ipswich dominating everything about the contest at that stage.
But from nowhere, Rennell’s side fought back to take the venom out of their opponents who looked perplexed at how the game was turning so quickly.
It was in no small part thanks to the perennial last line of defence, Emma Graham, who again lived up to her namesake with two critical challenges that, had the scoreboard changed even further in Ipswich’s favour, we might be discussing a different result.
At 50 minutes, I may have risked a commentator’s curse by saying Blues would win by 14 points. In the end it was 15, one point deducted in the prediction’s leaderboard.
Blues were unstoppable and totally took the wind out of their opponents’ sails. Esme Fish started the ball rolling for 21-17, then Bedford took the lead for the first time in over an hour as Berri Clarke – a class above on the wing all game – got her first. Cue an iconic celebration that one feels we might see an awful lot more throughout the campaign.
With five to play, Lucy Middleton got in on the act with a real captain’s contribution before Clarke rounded it off with her second. In just one game, she is fast rising the greatest ever try scoring leaderboard in the Blues Women 11 jersey and you wouldn’t bet against her getting that by Christmas at this rate.
A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon as Blues kickstarted their campaign with the perfect result. Don’t miss out on this sort of action when it swings back around into town next weekend. Against the arch nemesis, Peterborough (22nd Sep) they could really do with your support.
Reminder that Blues Season Ticket holders go FREE, 50% discount on all match tickets when purchased online. Click here to get yours and be the difference next weekend.
Bedford Blues Women Starting XV:
15. Emma Graham, 14. Natasha Taylor, 13. Emily Wallbank, 12. Emma Hunter, 11. Berri Clarke, 10. Lucy Middleton (C), 9. Esme Fish; 1. Emily McBarron, 2. Alivia Usher-Harris, 3. Hanah Donovan, 4. Catherine Chambers, 5. Kelly Hodgson, 6. Connie Brooks, 7. Laura Stephens, 8. Claire Hawes
Bedford Blues Replacements:
Lauren Mason, Steph-Sarah McPhillips, Megan Solomon, Abi Wilkin, Sophie Singleton-Sells, Gem Cook, Naomi Stockham
*Matchday photography by Roy Long and Simon Fraser*
