Dean Adamson was one of eight try scorers as the Bedford Blues winger celebrated his testimonial game in an entertaining 54-35 victory against a spirited Blackheath side at Goldington Road on Friday night (15 August).
Blackheath, who won 16 of their 26 league games in a hugely competitive National League One division last season, finishing sixth, were once again tough pre-season opponents, but were eventually outscored by a new look Bedford Blues team.
After a wonderful introduction to the arena for man of the moment, Adamson, top referee Karl Dickson began proceedings as both sides got down to work in the early stages of their pre-season, and it was Bedford Blues who got on the board first.
Moments after Louis James was brought down inches from the try line, Tommy Herman managed to get hands to ball and bundle his way over to give the Blues an eighth minute lead.
Much of Blackheath’s early play was orchestrated by both Jordan Burns at scrum half and Dylan Coetzee; the pacey winger opening up a couple of opportunities only to be stopped in his tracks by a sturdy early Blues defence.
However, the visitors were the next scorers; the ball once again working its way out to Coetzee who was on hand to pass inside to Archie Smeaton to level the scores, only for Herman to score his second try on 20 minutes to put the Blues back in front.
Such is the time of year, the third try of the game signalled a drinks break, and when the action resumed, Adamson nearly claimed his coveted score only to be denied in a foot race by the equally rapid, Oscar Daniel.
The Blues faithful didn’t have to wait long for the lead to be extended as Adamson burst through the middle and fed James Lennon who was left with a simple pass to debutant, George Worth to touch down under the posts.
Adamson gets his try
Blackheath hit back thanks to the dancing feet of Jordan Burns, but the imaginary bonus point was secured by the Blues in the 35th minute, and it gave the main man his golden moment.
The ball once again made its way out right via the hands of Ryan Hutler – back in Blue following his move from Coventry – who played a simple pass inside to the marauding Dean Adamson who ran in one of the more simple of his many tries for the Blues.
A sin-binning for Blackheath full back, Darragh Walsh soon followed but the visitors finished the half on a high as they stayed in touch thanks to a second score for Smeaton, as Blackheath kept the Blues in their sights at the half-time break at 28-21 down.
A serious looking injury to Blackheath’s, Andrew Boye punctured proceedings at the beginning of the second half, with Bedford Blues making seven half-time changes, but once the action resumed, Blackheath levelled the try count.
It came via the lineout and an effective rolling maul from the visitors with captain, Billy Harding applying the final touches and when Ed Dunford converted his fourth kick, the scores were even at 28-28.
The Blues regained the lead shortly after as Kayde Sylvester marked his Bedford return with a fifth try for the home side, and they extended that lead further thanks to a wild pass from former Blue, Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas that found Bedford trialist, Billy Pasco who ran in the simplest of tries.
Blackheath battle on
To their credit, the away side continued to fight on, attempting to play fast, enterprising rugby and their persistence was rewarded with their fifth converted try as they remained on the coattails of the Blues at 42-35 with ten minutes remaining.
Despite the spirited away comebacks, the Blues kept managing to hold their visitors at arm’s length, and when Fred Tuilagi bundled over a seventh Bedford try, it looked to finally knock the stuffing out of a Blackheath team who had again given Mike Rayer’s men a pre-season test.
An eighth try, scored by another trialist in Ryan Apps, was the icing on the cake that saw Bedford Blues past a half-century of points and completed another entertaining Goldington Road contest that finished 54-35.
It would be harsh to critique a first pre-season game with too much veracity, but tougher tests lie ahead with Cornish Pirates, Ampthill and European finalists, Northampton Saints on the pre-season menu before Champ Rugby’s first round on 4 October.
For now, the 1,700-strong crowd were left to celebrate the ten-year career of one of their favourite sons, and there’ll be no doubt that Dean Adamson will once again be in the try-scoring column as a new rugby union season kicks off in earnest.
