The Boxing Day affair is always a stellar moment in the calendar of any Blues fan, and this year was no different as Bedford Blues welcomed local rivals, Ampthill to a sold out Goldington Road.
The Blues, bruised by two tough encounters away at Ealing and Jersey in recent weeks, were looking to hold on to their unbeaten home record, but standing in their way were an Ampthill side looking to cause another Goldington Road upset.
Returning from injury were two Blues talismen in Michael Le Bourgeois and the indomitable Will Maisey; a huge boost for a Bedford side looking to swiftly return to winning ways.
Read: Bedford Blues ready for Boxing Day Ampthill sell out
The opening moments were spent deep in Ampthill territory thanks to a clever early 50:22 from Maisey that presented a couple of promising opportunities for the hosts, although neither of them were taken.
Ampthill’s Dom Hardman was the first to experience the cold seat of the sin-bin after just five minutes for a deliberate knock on and from there, Mike Rayer’s side did not look back.
Bedford blitz first half
Will Maisey nailed an impressive kick from the side line, converting George Hendy’s opening try, to give Bedford a seven point lead after a mere eight minutes.
Moments later, the lead was almost doubled; Maisey, already causing huge problems for the visiting defence, punted a grubber kick that was almost pounced upon by Dean Adamson but an Ampthill hand got their first.
After twelve minutes, that lead was doubled; Jamie Elliott the spare man on the right wing to stroll in and give the Blues a fourteen point lead.
Ampthill’s first foray into Blues territory was short-lived, but shortly after, the Blues extended their lead; Maisey breaking through the line and feeding Jac Arthur to run in under the posts, much to the delight of the 5,000 strong crowd.
Dean Adamson – never one to be too late to a party – joined in on the act soon after.
Robin Williams nailed a tackle in midfield to gift the Blues back line the ball and the rest was a masterpiece as a grubber found the rapid Adamson to swan dive into the corner for Bedford’s bonus point.
The first quarter had been a masterclass in attacking rugby from the home side, exploiting spaces and enjoying their creative side to bring some entertainment to a crowd who were lapping up every moment.
Their first blemish was a yellow card for Karl Wilkins with the half-hour mark approaching but even when Ampthill got within an inch of the try line, their efforts were drowned out by a courageous Bedford defence.
A period of calm followed, although a fifth try came for Bedford before the break and while the previous scores had some quality about them, it’s safe to say this one had a stroke of luck behind it.
A kick from Alex Day landed just inside the perimeter, bouncing straight up and was collected by an Ampthill player who tried to clear only to be blocked by a pouncing Matt Worley.
Some friendly juggling then followed, with Worley inextricably sending it sideways into his own path for a clear run under the posts; a try converted once again by Maisey.
It’s often said in sport that you make your own luck; and while Bedford’s fifth try had some good fortune about it, their attacking endeavour in a first half full of flair left them deserved 33-0 leaders at the interval.
Blues close out Boxing Day bonanza
The second half began more serenely than the first, both sides struggling to keep hold of the ball as darkness descended around Goldington Road but it was the Blues who extended their lead on the hour mark.
A quickly-worked free kick went through the hands of Maisey and the newly introduced Tom Litchfield, before finding its way out to Matt Worley for his second try of the afternoon.
Ampthill did make their way on to the scoreboard shortly after, a driving maul bundling its way over the try line courtesy of hooker, Beck Cutting.
To their credit, the visitors began to show some of the quality that has seen them win here in previous years but it was always going to be too little, too late with the impressive Bedford defence holding firm.
A Louis Grimoldby yellow card, only moments after replacing Maisey and a second try for the visitors thanks to Tom Bacon helped the scoreline look a bit more respectable, but in truth it was a mere silver lining to an Ampthill side who were overall disappointing.
The capacity crowd thought Worley had secured his hat-trick with the final play of the game, but the rapturous cheers were muted when the linesman put his flag up.
It was a momentarily lull in what became a cheerful conclusion to a Bedford Blues performance full of versatility and character, and despite a muted second half, all associated with the Blues will be happy with a 38-14 victory.
The back line may well get the plaudits for their imagination and guile, but the forwards should be equally praised for some heroic defending at key moments to finish what was almost a complete Bedford performance.
Ealing top at the turn
The win maintains Bedford’s unbeaten home record at Goldington Road, returning the venue to the fortress of recent years as they stay in fourth in the Championship.
Elsewhere, Ealing Trailfinders sit top heading into 2023 with a perfect ten from ten after beating closest challengers, Jersey Reds 44-23 on Christmas Eve.
Coventry stay in third after an impressive 45-17 win at Nottingham, while Doncaster Knights smashed league new boys Caldy, 52-14 and Richmond beat Cornish Pirates.
