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REPORT | Blues wrap up second spot
Bedford Blues wrapped up second place in the Championship table with a game to spare thanks to a nine-try 61-26 victory over Chinnor.
Victory ensured Mike Rayer’s men will end the 24/25 campaign with the best home record in the division, a statistic they achieve for the first time since 2011, having only lost to the sides ranked top of the Premiership and Championship across all competitions.
Forwards Coach, Tom Cruse – who is leaving for Worcester over the Summer – said: “It opened up in the second half and we scored some great tries, but we have to be honest with ourselves and say that the scoreline flattered us.
“I thought Chinnor scrapped for everything and were fully deserving of 19-19 at half-time. A few words exchanged and then we were brilliant in that second half.”
Knowing a victory would secure them a best league finish since 2012, Bedford flew out of the traps with tries from Fred Tuilagi, Matt Worley and Louis James.
They were their own worst enemies at times, however, and Chinnor clawed their back into things despite two yellow cards, first for collapsing a maul then a high shot which ended Tuilagi’s afternoon.
Tries from skipper William Ryan, former blue Robin Hardwick and Luke Carter had them in a decent position to be the only side to do the double over Bedford this season.
But Chinnor took a huge gamble before the game having won the toss to allow Bedford to go down their notorious slope in the second half and the home side got to work with some outrageous offloading that has become a hallmark of their game.
James completed a hat-trick, Dean Adamson always scores, plus others from Joe Howard, James Lennon and Alfie Garside.
Chinnor deserved something and got a try bonus thanks to a moment of individual magic from Nathan Chamberlain – so good that it had the Goldington Road faithful in applause such was the genius of his break from 70m out.
Cruse added: “The ability to problem solve from the lads has been outstanding this season. They’ve always got the freedom to play what they see, and we had to find different ways to win the game.
“It’s been an incredible season. A really special moment for those leaving the club, including myself, to confirm second place. But we still have to go again, it’s important to all of us to win next week.”
