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REPORT | Valiant Blues Women suffer defeat to Peterborough
A performance full of heart, valour and determination as Bedford Blues Women made a real game of it against the juggernaut that is Peterborough Ladies with a 25-19 defeat at Goldington Road.
To go from 53-0 and 79-0 defeats against the same opposition just 18 months ago, to having Peterborough on the ropes and panicking at the end, is testament to just how much character this team have, and how determined they have fought to bridge the gap to their opponents.
Credit to Peterborough, it has to be said, they’ve had Bedford’s number since the beginning and fair play to them for that because all the pressure was being heaped onto them in the build up to the game and they stood the test of Goldington Road to come away with the full five points.
Identified in the week as the key players to target, Maddy Buckland and Jaz Devereux both had blinders, particularly in the first half where the damage in the game was truly done for a 20-5 Peterborough advantage at the break.
They were aided in their fight by an impressive cameo by Georgie Nicholls at full-back; Buckland added some points from the boot to compliment tries from Annie Fenton, Nat Elliott and Nicholls before the HT whistle.
Blues needed some inspiration, and they got it just before the break thanks to a well worked try; Emily McBarron going over for her first score in senior rugby.
That gave Eddie Rennell’s side something to fight for in the second half and they came out of the traps like a completely different animal. No idea what was said in the huddle but there was a renewed sense of belief about them as they went about their business with astute intent.
Alivia Usher-Harris scored her first customary try to dent the scoreboard further and Blues had the wind at their sails with just an eight-point deficit.
A killer blow from Devereux with ten to go threatened to dampen spirits but if anything, it only went to inspire the hosts who again found another gear to set up a grandstand finish with a one score game - Usher-Harris claiming her second.
Again, credit where it’s due, Peterborough ran the clock down well to secure their victory. A standing ovation from the hardy souls who poured into Goldington Road showed just how proud they all were of the team’s performance, and the players should be proud of their efforts.
Onto next week and a chance for an immediate response when they head to Bletchley (Sunday 10th November) before returning home in three weeks’ time against Welwyn.
Once again for the players reading this, a fantastic performance and we’re all proud of you #BluesFamily
