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REPORT | Blues Women defeated at Welwyn
Bedford Blues Women suffered their first away defeat of the 2024/25 campaign on an afternoon that saw Peterborough Ladies crowned champions of NC1 East as a consequence of the 34-14 reverse at Welwyn Ladies.
Take nothing away from Welwyn, they were superb and were well worthy of their five-point success. It could have been more on the scoreboard too as they controlled pretty much all facets of the game, and it was only for heroic defence from Emma Graham and Claire Cranfield that they were limited to six tries on the day.
You’d have thought they were the ones still in the title race, such was their determination and desire right the way across the field. It almost surprises you that they are where they are in the table because that’s now two impressive performances against Bedford and you could see they wanted revenge for defeat at Goldington Road.
A potentially season ending injury to Cranfield put a real dampener on an afternoon of disappointment at Hobbs Way.
Two tries from Alivia Usher-Harris and Laura Stephens – who both put in particularly impressive individual performances – were the high points of the contest but certainly the need to re-group trying to seal off second spot in the table.
Katharine Simpson’s return from injury was another well needed boost, and her two clean line breaks through the midfield should have been acted upon.
The tests don’t come any easier, heading to Ipswich next weekend then the champions on the final day of the campaign, who will be looking to end 2024/25 unbeaten.
The good thing about this team is they always respond to disappointment. This is their third defeat of the season – they scored 52 points in response to the first defeat, and 97 after the second.
Bedford Blues Women Starting XV:
15. Emma Graham, 14. Sophie Singleton-Sells, 13. Martina Sharp, 12. Emma Hunter, 11. Claire Cranfield, 10. Lucy Middleton (C), 9. Emily Wallbank; 1. Lauren Mason, 2. Steph-Sarah McPhillips, 3. Millie Rennell, 4. Elena Famiglietti, 5. Kelly Hodgson, 6. Alyce Trude, 7. Laura Stephens, 8. Alvia Usher-Harris
Bedford Blues Women Replacements:
Kelly O’Flaherty, Emily McBarron, Niamh Ovey, Katharine Simpson, Naomi Stockham, Gemma Cook
