Bedford Blues are in the winner’s column in Champ Rugby after scoring six tries to secure a dramatic 38-30 win against Hartpury University on Ladies Day at a boisterous Goldington Road on Saturday afternoon.
Four of the six tries came from a pack that fought until the very end, with a try for Joey Conway supplemented with scores for Kayde Sylvester, Archie Benson, Oisin Heffernan and George Worth, while Dean Adamson put the icing on the cake with an 80th minute try.
Hartpury had begun the season well with impressive victories over Cornish Pirates and pre-season favourites, Worcester Warriors, while the Blues were looking to get into the winner’s enclosure for the first time after defeats against Ealing and Coventry.
An intriguing sub-plot also saw brothers Tom and Rhys Price face up against each other on opposing sides, but the first two minutes went haywire as Tom was sin-binned after just thirty seconds after a late tackle on Alex Morgan.
Tom would also need a blood replacement after a cut above his eye, and he was soon followed by his brother as the Hartpury scrum half exited the field for the same reason.
It was Rhys’ blood sub who would trouble the scoreboard first.
Cai Gealy got the final touch near the posts, and with the always reliable Harry Bazalgette adding the extras, Hartpury led 7-0 on the ten minute mark.
Blues mount fightback
An excellent 50:22 from Louis James opened up a first chance for the Blues to taste the whitewash at the other end, but Bedford could not make their mark, with a poor penalty attempt from Price the closest they got to scoring in the first quarter.
Rhys Price re-emerged bandaged up, and he would finish off a flowing move down the left wing via the hands of Ollie Allsopp and his namesake, Holliday – despite a forward pass in the build up – to extend the visitors’ lead to 14-0.
The one bright spark from the opening quarter was James; the full back incorporating the inventiveness that make the Blues who they are, and it was his break and kick that helped Bedford get on the board.
James was tackled late by Harry Short, who was sin-binned, and from the resulting penalty, the ball made its way centre field where Archie Benson was on hand to bundle his way over to halve the deficit.
Just three minutes later, the scores were level as the Blues found their mojo; an excellent break from a bloodied and bruised Price allowed him the space to feed Kayde Sylvester who was able to run in a simple leveller with 30 minutes on the clock.
As quick as a flash though, Hartpury were back in front as a pass from captain Alex Day was intercepted at the second time of asking by Robbie Smith, who had the freedom of Goldington Road to run in under the posts for the visitors’ third try.
A 40-metre penalty from Bazalgette extended the Hartpury lead to 24-14 and it was the final notable act of a pulsating first half, where the Blues found themselves behind again.
Boot of Bazalgette not enough
The Blues began the second half in promising enough fashion, with a Dean Adamson break ending in an unfortunate spill from Tui Uru, but despite a scrappy start to the second period, Bedford were the first on the scoreboard.
Another good break from Adamson in an unfamiliar right wing position helped him feed substitute, Joey Conway who set up George Worth to acrobatically score in the corner.
A second Bazalgette penalty increased the Hartpury lead to eight, but Bedford were quick on the button at the restart, and while Hartpury were able to hold up one try, they couldn’t hold up a second as Oisin Heffernan bundled over a third score in as many games.
When Maisey slotted the conversion, the difference was a single point in Hartpury’s favour at 27-26, with 15 minutes left on the Goldington Road clock.
Another Bazalgette penalty crucially kept Hartpury ticking over, but the Blues continued to press forward and despite some dark arts from the Hartpury pack, Bedford eventually bundled their way over the try line, with Conway getting the final touch.
Maisey missed the conversion from the touchline, but the Blues were ahead for the first time by one point, with a little under five minutes to play.
Urged to the end by an increasingly loud Goldington Road crowd, the Blues were able to keep their opponents pinned inside their own 22, and they were able to put the cherry on top of a very tasty cake as a familiar try scorer finished the contest.
Excellent work on the floor from Benson turned the ball over for Bedford, and it was quickly flown out to Dean Adamson who sealed the deal with Bedford’s sixth try, and along with Maisey’s extras, confirming a dramatic 38-30 triumph.
It’s a much-needed first Champ Rugby win this campaign for Bedford Blues, who rise to seventh in the table while Hartpury’s early 100% record has gone as they fall to sixth.
Elsewhere, Ealing Trailfinders maintained their perfect record with a 43-12 win over Richmond, but they are perhaps unexpectedly joined by Caldy, who secured their third maximum point victory at Nottingham.
Worcester are third after despatching Ampthill 56-28 on Friday night, while the shock of the round comes from Oxfordshire as Chinnor handsomely beat Coventry 47-26.
London Scottish also tasted victory for the first time this season with a 38-15 win over Cambridge while Cornish Pirates and Doncaster Knights battled out a 15-15 draw.
The Blues are back in action in seven days’ time as they resume the Battle of Bedfordshire at Olney Field where they take on local rivals, Ampthill before returning to Goldington Road under the Friday night lights against Doncaster on Halloween.
