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REPORT | Blues battle to victory over Coventry
Bedford Blues finally arrested their poor run of form against Coventry by taking the ascendency in the battle for second spot in the Championship with a 27-23 victory at Goldington Road.
A proper war of attrition between two old rivals and a real ding-dong back and forth contest in which either side could have come out on top. But playing for almost a half against 14 men helps, and Bedford eventually made their numerical advantage count with a try at the death to secure all five points.
It put an end to Bedford’s miserable run of form against Coventry with this their first victory over the West Midlands side in league competition since way back before the pandemic.
A delighted Forwards Coach, Tom Cruse said: “It was a dog fight and fair play to Coventry because they went down to 14 men and stuck at it, going ahead twice. A great game of rugby and buzzing to come out on the right side.
“Once we got into our stride, we looked bang on it. Our collisions were good, energy really positive and a great moment to win it at the end. To a man, they were outstanding.”
It was always going to be a game of fine margins and Coventry couldn’t have wished for a better start as Charlie Robson burst through four defenders to score after just 23 seconds.
Bedford bided their time and grew into the contest, building a 14 phase move before Tommy Herman reached the line. A Will Maisey penalty put them narrowly in front at the break.
As he often does, former Blue Ryan Hutler again came back to haunt his former employers with a try straight after half-time, before the game swung hugely in Bedford’s favour after 50 minutes.
Coventry skipper Jordon Poole – who had been booked in the first half – was shown his marching orders for collapsing the maul, handing Bedford the lead and a man advantage.
The visitors battled hard to knock over a few penalties from Tommy Mathews – another facing his previous club – but Bedford were always in the game and the pressure eventually told.
Dean Adamson scored his 140th club try at the end of a fine sweeping move, before Goldington Road roared James Fish over the line at the back of another lethal Bedford maul.
Bedford’s Joe Howard commented: “We keep finding ways to win, I’m losing count the amount of times we’ve got over the line in the last five minutes. Amazing night and a great result.”
*Matchday Photography by Jonathan Paice & Simon Fraser*
