The final Friday night home game of the season produced another stellar performance from Bedford Blues who delighted the crowd with a commanding victory against Richmond under the lights.
There was a party atmosphere inside Goldington Road on St Patrick’s Day, but the focus for Mike Rayer’s men was to exact revenge on this side who pipped them to the post in the capital in October and reclaim third spot in the Championship.
With tough home fixtures to come, it was important for Bedford Blues to prove why Goldington Road has returned to being a fortress and they did just that as they comfortably saw off a lacklustre Richmond.
Led out by captain Alex Day on his 50th appearance in Blues colours, it was the home side who started the better and it was the Irishman who opened the scoring as Seán French ran on to a clever Jamie Elliott kick to dive into the corner.
A Louis Grimoldby penalty took Bedford into double digits and the second try came on the twenty minute mark, albeit in scruffy fashion from Luke Frost as the Blues took a foothold in the game.
Richmond errors frustrate visitors
Richmond’s first foray into Blues territory yielded nothing, but the visitors were not helping themselves by consistently getting pinged for offside and the occasional handling error, gifting Bedford territory in which they were able to capitalise to great extent.
Joel Matavesi trebled the try count after half an hour; fed by Louis Grimoldby who broke clear of the defence and with the fly-half nailing his third impressive conversion in three, the home side took a 24-0 lead into the interval.
To their credit, Richmond came out of the traps like greyhounds at the start of the second half and were rewarded instantly with a try from Darren Atkins, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.
Another Grimoldby penalty was followed up with a momentous maul from the Blues pack and with James Fish getting the final touch, Bedford had the bonus point and a very comfortable 32-5 advantage.
Even on the rare occasions they found themselves on the back foot, Bedford were showing their superiority with any further Richmond sniff of the try line stamped out by dogged defence and characterful determination.
Sin bins apiece for Seán French and Richmond’s Lucas Brooke dampened proceedings momentarily but the Blues were back on the try hunt soon after as replacement, Jack Hughes scored Bedford’s fifth and final try of another successful evening.
Back up to third
The 39-5 victory kept Bedford’s unbeaten home record and they once again jump up to third ahead of Coventry’s home game against league new boys, Caldy.
Grimoldby was particularly impressive in the number ten jersey while Tui Uri and Kieran Curran were at their combative best in another impressive home outing for Mike Rayer’s side.
With Ealing, Jersey Reds and Coventry still to come at home, the challenges are due to be stiffer than tonight’s, but for now, the Bedford faithful can celebrate another home victory in what is turning into a magical season at Goldington Road.
Elsewhere, league leaders Ealing travel to Nottingham while Jersey Reds host Hartpury on Saturday with the pair still battling it out for the league title.
Ampthill host Doncaster while Cornish Pirates travel to bottom side, London Scottish.
