Another hat-trick for Bedford Blues winger, Dean Adamson helped Bedford Blues to a 52-33 victory over Richmond in Champ Rugby, as Mike Rayer’s side took a big step towards a home play-off semi-final.
Aided by Chinnor’s 33-22 victory over Worcester Warriors, the Blues are now five points clear of third place – a spot now occupied by Coventry – with two regular season games to come. Worcester have dropped to fourth.
Adamson’s hat trick, completed after 69 minutes, were three of eight tries for the Blues who completed another maximum point bonus win in taking another step towards the play-off semi-finals.
Toby Thame, George Worth, captain Alex Day and a pair for Fyn Brown were the other try scorers on another successful afternoon in the capital for Mike Rayer’s men, who now have a week off before the run in against Chinnor, and runaway leaders, Ealing.
Blues soar clear
Saturday’s game started in the perfect fashion, as the Blues gained the bonus point inside half an hour.
Toby Thame was the first on the scoresheet, receiving a pop inside from Michael Le Bourgeois and spotting a gap in the Richmond defence to run in from 50 metres.
Richmond hit back immediately from the kick off, collecting their own kick, allowing Harry Hocking to go over near the posts, but another moment of ingenuity put the Blues back in front.
A big up and under from Day was collected by the excellent Amena Caqusau, who offloaded to George Worth when en route to the grass, to set the full back on his way to the whitewash.
Adamson scored his first of the afternoon, collecting a superb pass from Thame to run in Bedford’s third, before the bonus point came from Fyn Brown before the half hour mark.
Brown added his second with the final play of the half to put the Blues comfortably ahead at half-time.
Late yellow cards do little to dampen the mood
It would have taken a monumental effort from Richmond to claw back the 31-7 deficit, and despite some late tries in which they secured a bonus point of their own, they rarely looked to trouble a confident Blues side who sauntered home to victory.
A quick tap penalty from Alex Day allowed Bedford’s captain to get on the scoreboard early in the second period, before Hocking added his second of the afternoon for the hosts.
Adamson’s own brace came after he collected another high ball before sprinting clear, before George Nugent kept his side just about in touch with Richmond’s third.
The hat-trick moment came with a little over ten minutes left on the clock, as Adamson collected a loose ball to run in his third and put any remaining Richmond hopes in the bin.
There was some late drama as both Alex Woolford and Fred Tuilagi were sin-binned in the final moments, leaving the Blues temporarily down to 13 men, and allowing Richmond the opportunity to close the gap.
Will Goffey and Tololima Savaiinaea were the late beneficiaries, as they scored a try apiece in the closing stages; Goffey’s securing a bonus point for four tries of their own, but it was never enough as the Blues scored a half century of points for the fourth time this season.
Blues on course for second
The bonus point does little to materially change Richmond’s fortunes, as they’ll face local rivals, London Scottish in the Champ Rugby relegation elimination match, but for the Blues, their destiny is in their own hands.
They are five points clear of a resurgent Coventry in third, who smashed Cambridge 77-14 on Friday night, while Worcester are now in fourth after their loss at Chinnor, who Bedford Blues face in a fortnight’s time.
Ealing fought back from a half-time deficit to maintain their 100% record with a 41-26 victory over Cornish Pirates, while Hartpury and in-form Ampthill were also heavy winners against Nottingham and Caldy respectively.
Doncaster Knights were also 34-5 victors over London Scottish.
Bedford Blues’ match against Chinnor begins at 3pm on Saturday, 2 May. They’ll be hoping for another maximum point win which will guarantee second place, courtesy of the Blues winning more games than both Coventry and Worcester.
