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REPORT | Blues left in the dumps on Valentines Day
It was more Heartbreak Hotel than Love Actually as Bedford Blues endured a Valentines Day to forget by going down 50-12 at Doncaster Knights.
Blues' long run without a victory at Castle Park will have to continue for at least another season as they were out thought, out fought, and beaten in pretty much every facet of the game.
In recent seasons it felt like Mike Rayer's men were creeping closer to finally winning in South Yorkshire, but this performance was about as far away as they ever have been, struggling to fire a shot against an opponent who must be kicking themselves for their performance in the first half of the season. If there was only one play-off occupiers out on the pitch, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was Doncaster.
Alex Woolford called for calm in his immediate post-match press conference and he's right, because Blues are in danger of seeing their season fall apart if they react and self implode. Three defeats in five to start 2026 have really decimated their campaign, and how they're still third is anyone's guess. It is a competitive league, and results are changing every week, so Blues have to find some consistency for the final nine games.
Rain is forecast for all of next week leading into London Scottish but after that, you're hoping the degrees might increase and pitches become firmer to allow them to play their free-flowing, expansive rugby.
Just like was said two weeks ago, everyone in the #BluesFamily needs to galvanise together ahead of returning to home soil on Friday. This is not a time to lambaste the players, you can rest assured they're doing that internally already, and some harsh home truths will be shared in team meetings this coming week.
As Woolford suggested in his soliloquy, Blues haven't become a bad team overnight and it was only six weeks ago that the praise was being heaped on them for securing their longest unbeaten run since 1998.
Regroup, rebuild and look to put on a show back at Goldington Road. On a positive note, Ben Griffin scored his first try for the club late on, and Tui Uru increased his personal tally in the first-half. It's time to back the lads on home soil - secure your tickets for Friday Night Lights here.
