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REPORT | Bedford sink Pirates with last gasp strike
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight, walking in a Bedford wonderland….
Bedford Blues are just finding ways to win at the moment, and they made it a much more enjoyable coach journey back from deepest, darkest Cornwall thanks to a gritty and nail-biting 27-26 away victory over Cornish Pirates.
An incredible amount of character and mental resilience within the squad this season, although they could try and stop giving those following along less of a battle with the blood pressure monitor.
In a strange way, we wouldn’t have it any other way (even though it would be nice). Playing the Bedford way, seeing the boys really rally behind each other from minute one to minute eighty, and ultimately ending up with all five points, makes it a lovely little evening in Penzance.
Blues have picked up 13 points from their last three outings, with a points differential of +2. They were 21 points down at Nottingham, 11 against Cambridge, and while never out of sight against Pirates, they were behind on enough occasions to call that a mighty comeback as well.
The team are probably still a little way off what would be described as a full 80-minute performance, but when lady luck is on your side, you just have to ride the wave of emotion.
If, as expected, Worcester do see off Richmond then Blues will have an eight-point cushion to fourth spot, and have the Warriors in their sights next weekend at Goldington Road. Regardless of what happens at Sixways, it’ll be a 2nd vs 3rd shootout out on the hallowed turf.
Blues will have things to work on, Pirates exploiting their maul to good effect for two scores. You’d say Worcester are better at that attacking weapon, which is a concern, so the #BluesFamily will need to be behind them to repel the missiles when they arrive.
You could see via the smiles on faces just how much this particular victory means. It’s a long old way to go, some boys having to get up at 5am to meet the coach departure from GR and somehow going out there and leaving it all on the line.
The mentality of the squad should never be questioned. It was a big gamble to leave out a lot of players for the Cambridge tie last weekend. Not that they were looking for vindication, but taking the maximum 10 points available in recent weeks does feel good. You need a fresh set of legs against Pirates.
In terms of the game itself, it was another display of just why Bedford are so enticing to watch. Throw it from anywhere, with discipline, and some unbelievable moments for the trylight reel.
George Worth continued his rich vein of scoring form by opening the scoring, while Rory Ward also crossed in the first half as Blues went back to the sheds trailing by four points.
It’s been four weeks since Dean Adamson was last on the scoresheet, having scored in each of the first five rounds, but he made up for lost time with two absolute crackers. The second one was a particular peach and there cannot be a world where that’s not in the running for Champ Rugby’s Try of the Week.
You talk about the mentality and that was shown in abundance in the second half, both individually and collectively. Kicking was tough for Will Maisey in the first half, underfoot conditions never really allowing him to plant his foot ready for the kick, but he responded after the break to knock over some crucial points.
And what a way to do it, a 78th minute winning penalty to take the mercurial talisman past the 2,000 career points barrier. Just the 75 to go to reach a millennium for Bedford.
As someone who has never been in a scrum, and doesn’t particularly know the mechanics of it, it is sometimes hard to reflect on the set piece. But one thing is for certain, that’s what character means when you look it up in the dictionary.
It was even throughout, but Pirates had started to get the shove on a little bit and Blues were on skates a couple of times midway through the second half. To keep persevering and get the penalty when the opposition had the ball for the put in, majestic.
A full team performance epitomised by the team huddle at the end of the game. If there were a few tears, you wouldn’t have blamed the lads. They gave it everything.
Now let’s pack Goldington Road for the visit of Worcester. The final game before Christmas. Saturday 20th December – you just don’t want to miss it. Buy tickets here.
