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REPORT | Blues lift silverware in Derby Day win
Bedford Blues won their first men’s trophy in 20 years thanks to an impactful 40-24 victory over Ampthill to make it five in a row on Derby Day.
It was a performance that the coaches will demand to be improved upon in Champ Rugby action over the next few weeks, but there were some unbelievable moments mixed in for good measure to see Bedford take the spoils.
Always difficult when both sides name squads of 29 players, in terms of that continuity and cohesion. In the Bedford set-up, there were three hookers and three tighthead props named so tricky to be perfect from the first whistle to the last.
Ampthill have to take credit for their tenacious defence in the game which inhibited Blues from putting a multitude of solid attacks together, and it took some real skilful play to break open the visitors.
Ryan Hutler has been in a purple patch of form this pre-season and he bagged a brace to take him to four from as many games in recent weeks, while the returning Robbie Smith also dotted down alongside Rafe Witheat and Louis James.
In two weeks, make no bones about it, the performance will need to be more consistent to face the reigning champions, Ealing Trailfinders on the hallowed turf. But this was a good enough platform to work from as the side ensured pre-season concluded with three wins from four.
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