NC1 East league leaders, Bedford Blues Women continued their strong run of form with a convincing 48-5 win over Harpenden Women on Sunday (18 January).
Coming into the match, Bedford sat top of the league on 30 points, while Harpenden were seventh with just two, and the match reflected the league table, and Bedford’s consistency and confidence this season.
The Blues had taken control of the division thanks to a key triumph in their final game of 2025, as Bedford roared back from a 15-7 deficit at Colchester Iceni, scoring 19 unanswered points to win 26-15 and leapfrog their rivals to top spot.
And that top spot remains in Bedford hands after a one-sided affair at Goldington Road on Sunday.
Bedford started confidently and opened the scoring in the fourth minute after early pressure forced a Harpenden mistake. Claire Cranfield scored the first try for the Blues, with Lucy Middleton converting for a 7-0 lead.
The Blues quickly added a second when Lauren Freeman powered through tackles to score, though the conversion was missed.
Harpenden responded in the 16th minute through Carys McCulloch, who powered past the Blues to bring the score to 12-5 after the conversion fell short.
Emma Graham added Bedford’s third try in the 20th minute following sustained pressure, with Middleton adding the conversion.
Graham added her second try seven minutes later to secure the bonus point, before Claire Cranfield finished strongly on the wing to send Bedford into half-time leading 29-5.
Three more second half tries seal comfortable win
The second half was disrupted by injuries, but Bedford remained in control.
Cranfield completed her hat-trick shortly after the restart, extending the lead further. Middleton then scored and converted her own try to make it 41-5.
Harpenden showed determination and worked hard in attack but were unable to break through a well organised Bedford defence.
And it was replacement, Katharine Simpson who added the final try of the game on 63 minutes, with Middleton converting to complete the scoring at 48-5.
Bedford maintained their defensive discipline through the closing stages and secure five league points, while Emily Wallbank was named Player of the Match after an influential performance that set the tempo throughout.
The result keeps Bedford Blues firmly at the top of the table, four points ahead of Colchester with a game in hand, ahead of their next fixture; an away trip to third placed, Stamford Women on 8 February.
