Bedford Athletic made a winning start to the new season in Regional Two Midlands East with a 35-29 victory against Market Harborough.
It was a tough encounter against last season’s runners up, but the team showed tenacity and durability to end up on the right side of the scoreline in a match where the sides shared ten tries.
With six debutants in the squad, the side made a fast start.
Some penetrative running led by Ryszard Hill saw the home team set a good structure in attack, and when they overloaded the left side of the visiting defence it was Josh Foster who burst through for the opening try in the third minute.
The opening quarter was an even contest, although largely played out in home territory.
Gradually, the penalties started to mount up against the home team and from an attacking lineout, the Market Harborough fly half, Joe Liggins ghosted through several tackles setting back row Jack Brown on a clear run to the line for his side’s opening score on 20 minutes.
This coincided with a noticeable drop off in intensity from the home side.
Five minutes later, number eight San Staff led the defence on a merry dance as a succession of missed tackles allowed winger, Jack Rowlatt the space and time to cross for the second try, this time converted by full back Oliver Stanbridge.
Minutes later, a deep kick into Bedford Athletic territory led to a goal line drop out from which the visitors attacked at speed; the home defence unable to do very much about an attack that ended with a try for second row Pat Grady.
With half an hour played, Market Harborough led 17-7 and Bedford Athletic looked to have a tough task on their hands.
They were fortunate to benefit from an overthrown lineout just before half time which found its way to Hill and he took an off balance defence by surprise, being able to charge through from half way for a try converted by Stenson that made the score 17-14 at half time.
Bedford Athletic started the second half with a lot more purpose, and strong carries from Hill and Andy Ince put them on the front foot, before Ryley Longmuir scored the try to give them the lead; Stenson adding the conversion.
They were unlucky to lose it again when a loose ball popped up into the hands of winger, Rowlatt and he escaped the clutches of the defence for an unconverted try out of nothing from Market Harborough as they retook the lead on 48 minutes.
They made the most of this advantage and started to impose themselves on many aspects of the game from disrupting the home side’s lineout ball to dominating the rucks, all of which meant Bedford Athletic had very little ball to play with.
Following a particularly poor kicking exchange from the home side’s point of view, the visitors were able to set up camp in their opponents 22.
Bedford Athletic did well to repel a number of attacks but were never able to execute a dominant clearance and the pressure told when Henry Moss went over for the try that gave Market Harborough a 29-21 lead in the 64th minute.
To their credit, Bedford Athletic worked their way back into the game.
Having at times looked uncertain in defence, they were proving themselves much more fluid in attack and with ten minutes remaining, replacement full back Will Edmunds broke free, outpacing the visiting defence for a try.
Stenson’s conversion made the score 29-28.
Suddenly, Bedford Athletic had regained the momentum and another break saw play halted illegally just short of the visitor’s line with second row, Grady sent to the sin bin.
Directly in front of the visitors’ posts, and now with a dominant scrum, the home side looked to drive their opponents backwards.
The second scrum duly delivered a penalty and a quick tap from Ince saw him crash over the line for the winning try, which Stenson converted for a victory that at times looked unlikely, but in the end was a reward for the side’s perseverance and tenacity.
The league is yet to take shape and Bedford Athletic will travel for their first away match on Saturday (3 October) away to relegated Nuneaton.
Words by Jeremy Tyrrell
