We’re approaching crunch time in the English Championship, with the fixture list throwing up some real humdingers in the final month of the season, as Bedford Blues hosted title-chasing Jersey Reds on Saturday.
The closely fought 41-30 defeat to league leaders Ealing a fortnight ago scuppered Bedford’s chances of an unbeaten home campaign, and they faced a similarly tough challenge against Ealing’s main challengers from the Channel Islands.
On a glorious afternoon at Goldington Road, it was the home side who got on the scoreboard first after only a few minutes, as Joey Conway dotted down from the maul to give his side an early 5-0 lead.
Reds forwards cause Blues problems
There were some big hits going in from both sides in the early stages and it was a big Jersey tackle in midfield that opened the door for their first real opportunity, that was finished with aplomb by full back, Brendan Owen.
The visitors’ forward line are considered the best in English rugby’s second tier, and were causing some issues for the hosts – both at the lineout and in the tackle – but it didn’t perturb Mike Rayer’s men from trying to play their usual exciting brand.
It was those same forwards who bundled the ball over for Jersey’s second try with Eoghan Clarke getting the final touch but Russell Bennett pulled his conversion to leave the Reds 12-5 in front.
A sin-binning for Joey Conway didn’t improve the Blues mood and it was only an excellent try-saving tackle from Rich Lane who denied the visitors a third on the half hour mark.
Despite being a man down, it was the Blues who would find the next try courtesy of Tui Uru after excellent work on the right hand side and with Maisey’s left boot doing the rest, the two sides went into the break level pegging at 12-12.
Sin bins cost Blues
The start of the second half was punctuated by a Rich Lane injury, although Bedford’s full back did remain on the pitch but shortly after, Jersey restored their lead thanks to Brendan Owen’s second try of the afternoon.
The introduction of James Mitchell at scrum half for the visitors injected some much needed pace to the Reds attacks but when it comes to pace, there’s no one quite like Dean Adamson.
The left winger, who had had a quiet game up until the 55-minute mark, intercepted a pass on halfway and demonstrated an unbelievable turn of pace to out sprint the retreating Jersey backs and dive into the corner.
It levelled the game once more at 19-19 and with Ealing strolling to victory against Caldy in the capital, Jersey knew they had to find another gear to hang on to their coattails.
Both sides were continuing to trade big tackles but Bedford were dealt another blow with their second yellow card of the game, on this occasion for Tui Uru and this time, it proved too much for the Blues.
From the resulting penalty, Jersey managed to find the try line thanks to Macauley Cook and it sucked the energy out of Goldington Road as the Islanders once again opened up a 7-point advantage.
It also secured a vital bonus point for Jersey who go back to the Channel Islands with a huge 26-19 victory ahead of their title showdown with Ealing next weekend.
For the Blues, it was their second successive home defeat ahead of a tricky trip to Bedfordshire rivals Ampthill next weekend before hosting Coventry on the final game of the season.
Two horse race for the title
There is a reason Jersey are fighting for the title however and their forwards came to the party once again and were immense in what was a pulsating Saturday afternoon at Goldington Road.
Elsewhere, Ealing comfortably saw off Caldy 73-14, Coventry cemented third place with a tight victory at Richmond whilst Cornish Pirates saw off Doncaster by a single point.
On Friday night, London Scottish gained a rare victory at Hartpury whilst Nottingham comfortably despatched Ampthill 39-0.
