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REPORT | Blues Women win again
A Claire Cranfield hat-trick ensured Bedford Blues Women seized the initiative in the battle for second spot of the NC1 table thanks to a gritty 33-31 victory over Welwyn Ladies.
Both sides had their moments across the contest, scoring five tries apiece, and it was probably befitting of the spectacle on show at Goldington Road that it should be so close on the scoreboard come the final whistle.
Two points isn’t a bad return for Welwyn who ensured much more of a battle rather than the one sided performance from Bedford against Bletchley Women last time out.
That on a knife edge kind of storyline kept the spectators involved from minute one to the end, some commenting on departing Goldington Road that it was the ‘game of the season’. High praise indeed for two teams who showed up with great aplomb on International Women’s Day weekend.
It also ensured Peterborough still have to do it themselves if they are, as expected, to go on and lift the title – Bedford now the only side still with a mathematical chance of catching the unbeaten table toppers. Both Welwyn and Ipswich are out of the race.
Blues still have work to do to wrap up that second spot, but will take a huge amount of confidence from these two home displays in recent weeks. Currently sitting in 3rd, they have two games in hand on Ipswich who are two points ahead, and will back themselves to get the job done.
In this one, it was pretty much the Cranfield show – superb in both offence and defence – for a near faultless performance in all aspects of the game. It was a showing more than just the hat-trick, which took her to 14 tries for the campaign, and her two never give up last ditch defensive chases to stop Welwyn going under the sticks ultimately proved the difference.
It again showed the importance of fighting for every blade of grass and not giving up on anything otherwise deemed a potential lost cause.
A nasty looking injury to Berri Clarke threatened to derail Bedford’s ambition in the game but if anything, it only went to galvanise them even more in an 80-minute contest where the lead changed hands four times.
After a few games away from the scorers list, Alivia Usher-Harris was back to doing what she does best with a neat snipe to the line, while there was also a Penalty Try to round off the scoring from a Blues perspective. Skipper Lucy Middleton added six from the boot.
Job done then in terms of a bonus point success and much to keep fighting for in the coming weeks. Back the team for their final home outing against Wymondham Wasps in two weeks’ time (23rd March) – buy tickets here.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Emma Graham, 14. Claire Cranfield, 13. Berri Clarke, 12. Emma Hunter, 11. Alyce Trude, 10. Lucy Middleton (C), 9. Emily Wallbank; 1. Lauren Mason, 2. Alivia Usher-Harris, 3. Millie Rennell, 4. Cat Chambers, 5. Kelly Hodgson, 6. Elena Famiglietti, 7. Megan Solomon, 8. Connie Brooks
Bedford Blues Replacements:
Steph-Sarah McPhillips, Emily McBarron, Kelly O’Flaherty, Heather Cousins, Gemma Cook, Martina Sharp
