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2024 | A Year in Numbers
As we prepare to bring the curtain on 2024, there’s time to reminisce on what’s gone before and reflect on what has been another vintage year for Bedford Blues – once again setting it up nicely for what’s to come.
There were some more unbelievable occasions for the #BluesFamily to enjoy both on and off the pitch – including that infamous Louis Grimoldby drop goal against Doncaster, late heroics against Hartpury and Pirates, plus many more besides.
Elsewhere, international rugby returned to Goldington Road, two fantastic Ladies Day’s raising vital funds for Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, another jam-packed Fireworks Display & Funfair and continued developments at the Club.
Our Women’s side also had a fantastic year – winning their NC2 division and being named Team of the Year at the Bedford Sports Awards – while Bedford Junior Blues brought home a whole host of trophies and continue to develop the next generation.
Here’s some of the statistics you may have missed throughout 2024…
Club Statistics
Across 2024, the senior Bedford Blues men’s team contested a total of 32 fixtures. Mike Rayer’s side won on 17 occasions, suffering 15 defeats. Highlights include making history by winning down in Cornwall for the third year in succession (the first time ever in club history), and that drop goal really will live in the memory bank for eternity.
A total of 123 tries were scored (eleven more than in 2023), at an average of just under four per fixture. There were 14 Try of the Week wins – more than all the other Championship competitors combined – and more tries for the ages as Blues continued to showcase edge of your seat action.
Across the calendar year, Rayer’s side averaged 25.6 points a game having scored 818, a slight decrease compared to twelve months previous.
Most Appearances
32 – Joey Conway and Will Maisey end 2024 as the only players to feature in every fixture
31 – Fellow prop duo Jamie Jack and Oisin Heffernan missed just one game
30 – Luke Frost
27 – Jac Arthur and Michael Le Bourgeois
26 – Alex Day, James Lennon and Matt Worley
Most Tries
18 – Way out in-front for this category, Dean Adamson had another lethal year as he closes in on becoming the club’s greatest ever marksman
8 – Hong Kong China international, Matt Worley had another impressive year in club colours
6 – Sean French and Joe Howard
5 – Cameron King, Joey Conway, Louis James, Tommy Herman, Oisin Heffernan
Most Points
200 – For the fourth calendar year in succession, Will Maisey topped the charts for Bedford Blues. He now has 657 points from 96 appearances.
Notable Appearance Milestones
100 – Jordan Onojaife retired following his inclusion to the century club; Matt Worley also achieved the feat earlier this year against Bristol in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
50 – With the core group together for the past few seasons, there were a whole host of players to rack up 50 appearances during 2024; namely Jamie Elliott, Sean French, James Fish, Jac Arthur and Alex Woolford.
Leaguewide Milestones
Champ’s Greatest Try Scorer – Following his double against Doncaster Knights on Ladies Day back in October, Dean Adamson became the greatest try scorer in Championship history. He has just eight to go to become the club’s greatest ever.
200 Championship Caps – An achievement hit by club captain, Alex Day earlier in the year. While we are still corroborating the statistics, he should become one of the top appearance makers in the second tier come the end of the current season.
