A gritty and determined performance saw Bedford Blues take a deserved losing bonus point from their trip to second placed Cornish Pirates, being edged out 18-15 at The Mennaye, Penzance.
Bedford Blues were looking for a knockout punch on a Boxing Day encounter but ended up with a truly bloodied nose as a resilient Ampthill took the spoils 10-23 in front of a sold out Goldington Road.
Bedford Blues players, coaches and fans were left scratching their heads and wondering just how they managed to lose to Ampthill in the final pool games of the Championship Cup.
Any hopes Bedford Blues had of reaching the knockout stages of the Championship Cup were ended on Saturday afternoon as they were humbled 80-17 by Ealing Trailfinders.