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REPORT | Blues beaten in Ealing
Bedford Blues suffered their first defeat in six as they fell to a 52-14 reverse against an Ealing Trailfinders side who wrapped up a perfect winning season in the league phase of 2025/26 Elior Champ Rugby.
When it clicked, Blues were back to their effervescent best, but those moments were too few and far between to have any real opportunity of being the first team to defeat the runaway league leaders.
A worrying shoulder injury for Michael Le Bourgeois marred the day, as Blues prepare for their home play-off semi-final in 13 days' time. Based on today's final league results, you'd estimate it being a re-run of one of the oldest rivalries in rugby - Bedford v Coventry under the Friday Night Lights.
Still rugby to be played before that, however, and Hartpury University will certainly want to have something to say about that when they head to the West Midlands in the Quarters. Mike Rayer's men had worked all season to be able to not have to rely on a result in this one, but there were still two impressive tries to show for their efforts.
Ealing have been outstanding this year, amassing 127 points out of 130 available, bookended by victories over their closest competitors in the table, Bedford.
Blues actually opened the scoring with the try of the contest. And it was an absolute beauty as they went from one end of the field to the other, sending Ryan Hutler crashing through the middle before the perfect pass for George Worth to run under the sticks.
It was tough going from there as Ealing grinded through the gears, but it was another neat score in the second half.
A solid scrum platform allowed James Lennon to fire it into Le Bourgeois, who was acting as a crash ball 10 off the set-piece. He held off three defenders to drive to the line.
Booj's conversion maintained his 100% kicking record off the tee this season.
A tough one. Down but not out. Next stop: The Elior Champ Rugby Play-Offs. Buy your tickets for the semi-final at Goldington Road on Friday 22nd May here.
