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REPORT | Off colour Blues downed by Ealing
It was far from the ideal start to the new Champ Rugby season as Bedford Blues fell to a harrowing 50-22 defeat at the hands of back-to-back champions, Ealing Trailfinders.
An afternoon to forget as Ealing showcased their credentials for another shot at the title as they dominated the contest in pretty much every facet possible and made Bedford pay for an error strewn bad day at the office.
The positives, while hard to find, were a mighty shift from the pack at the scrum - winning multiple penalties. And don't forget, Blues got zero points from this fixture last season, yet showed the courage to grind out a try bonus point this time around.
While pulling no punches, Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer said: "Ealing were so clinical and against a side like that, you have to be 90% accurate in what you’re doing. We made too many errors.
“To get a bonus point is one more than we achieved against Ealing here last season so a little bit of a positive to hang onto from a largely frustrating afternoon.”
A frustrating afternoon indeed as Ealing raced out of the blocks for a 21-0 lead after just 12 minutes.
Oisin Heffernan's try dented the scoreboard a little, before Blues were offered a lifeline in the contest as the visitors went down to 13 men after persistant maul offences - Conor Oliver first going to the bin, then Will Montgomery following a penalty try.
But those were the only points Blues could muster in that timeframe of numerical advantage and Ealing were out flying in the second half for another two quick scores to settle the contest.
Credit to Bedford for sticking in the fight and constantly driving onwards and upwards. Tries from Rory Ward and Dean Adamson gave them something for their efforts, but it was a day of disappointment overall for the team who will look for a response on the road at old rivals, Coventry next week.
*Matchday Photography from Claire Jones, Emma Graham, Beth Walliker, Simon Fraser and Jonathan Paice*
