Bedford Blues responded to an abject home defeat against Nottingham last weekend, beating Champ Rugby’s basement club, Cambridge 50-21 on Saturday (28 March).
Dean Adamson scored a hat-trick, while Michael Le Bourgeois, Alex Day, Nicholas Finch and Lucas Titherington all chipped in with a score each, and Amena Caqusau scored a first try in Blues colours in just his second appearance.
It was a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure for the Blues, after Director of Rugby Mike Rayer claimed other sides would, “look at that result and think we’re there to be taken” after a 14-10 loss against Nottingham at Goldington Road last time out.
Read: Disappointing Blues lose second place again after Nottingham defeat
Cambridge ran Bedford close in December’s reverse fixture, only for the Blues to squeeze home 29-28, but with the bonus point wrapped up before the half-time whistle at Ellgia Fields, this clash was not nearly as close.
The hosts’ 20th loss in 21 Champ Rugby fixtures sends them closer to an automatic relegation back to National One, while the Blues maintain hopes of a semi-final play-off spot, although they remain third.
Fast start
The first try came after 12 minutes, and it was the first of Adamson’s eventual hat-trick.
It began back on the Blues’ own try line, as Day passed the ball out left from the back of the scrum and as quick as a flash, the Blues were away thanks to neat interplay between George Worth and Adamson; the latter finishing it off.
Le Bourgeois’ try three minutes later extended the lead to 12-0, before Adamson secured his brace thanks to excellent work from Nicholas Finch, who gained a full 40 metres before being hauled down.
The ball was then sent out wide left again, and there was that man Adamson to dot down the Blues’ third try, and his second.
Cambridge got on the board as Ollie Allan intercepted a pass and ran in under the posts unopposed, but it was the only bright moment in a half to forget for the hosts as Bedford secured the bonus point in timely fashion.
It was captain Day who would do so, although it was almost an Adamson hat-trick, as the winger stole the ball on his own 22, only to be dragged down.
His offload found the welcoming arms of Day who did the rest as the Blues extended their lead to 24-7.
Amena Caqusau’s first try in Blues colours was the icing on the cake late in the half, as Bedford went into the sheds 31-7 to the good.
Adamson seals hat trick
The tries kept coming in the second half, as Finch gained his deserved score after 45 minutes, before Cambridge hit back almost immediately with the second of their three tries from Jamie Annand.
Any thoughts of a comeback were scuppered when Lucas Titherington collected another fine offload – this time from Worth – to score a try of his own to extend the Bedford advantage to 43-14.
A sin-binning for Le Bourgeois did little to dampen the spirits of the strong away following, that included two coach loads of Bedford Blues Supporters Club patrons, although Cambridge made use of their man advantage as Annand scored his second of the game.
Read: Bedford Blues Supporters Club out in force for upcoming Cambridge trip
The final act would however come from the Blues’ leading all-time try scorer, as Adamson completed his hat trick with a minute left on the clock, while Bedford reached the half century of points thanks to Le Bourgeois’ conversion.
It completed a fine, if expected, 50-21 victory for Bedford who remain third in Champ Rugby.
Elsewhere, Worcester Warriors are still second after beating Cornish Pirates 29-7, while Ealing’s romp towards the top spot continued, despite perhaps their biggest scare of the season at Caldy, eventually squeezing home 21-19.
Coventry and Ampthill were both heavy winners against London Scottish and Richmond respectively, while Doncaster Knights beat Hartpury on Friday night. Nottingham host Chinnor later on Sunday.
Bedford Blues are back at Goldington Road next Saturday (4 April) as they welcome Cornish Pirates.
