The week’s break from Championship action came at the right time for a Bedford Blues side as they bounced back from defeat a fortnight ago to maintain their unbeaten home record against Hartpury.
With six additions from the Northampton Saints Academy in the match day squad, it was a new look side wanting to add to what has been a superb start in the Championship, especially at home.
Read: Championship Rugby returns to Goldington Road in Blues double header
Blues victories so far this season have – in part – been down to ultra-fast starts but the opening skirmishes in this contest were scrappy with the referee’s whistle punctuating play, mainly due to handling errors from both sides.
The visitors were the first to settle; Hartpury finding themselves with good territory and it was Mitch Eadie who did well to exploit a gap in the Bedford defence to dive in under the posts for the game’s first try.
The next ten minutes were dominated by the Blues who spent the entirety camped inside the Hartpury 22, but to the visitor’s credit, their defence was dogged and steadfast to keep the hosts at bay.
Double whammy for the Blues
The Blues were back on level terms after 25 minutes, thanks to some neat footwork from Seán French who started a flowing Bedford move with some neat footwork and finished it off in the corner moments after.
To add insult to injury, Hartpury also lost a man to the sin bin thanks to a dangerous tackle from Jimmy Williams in the build-up; although there was nothing the visitors could do to stop Bedford equalising.
Soon after, Bedford were leading thanks to a breakaway from Dean Adamson, and while Kayde Sylvester couldn’t fend off the defence for his first Blues try, Luke Frost most certainly could.
The half ended in much the same vain as it started; scrappy and with little flow but Bedford went into the sheds 14-7 in front, with the prospect of playing down the famous slope in the second half ahead.
Bedford navigate tense ending
The first ten minutes of the second half were once again attritional at best, but on the fifty-minute mark, the Blues increased their lead as Seán French doubled his try count for the afternoon.
Hartpury hit back soon after as Jake Pollderi bundled over thanks to an excellent 50:22 kick from the visitors and although Bedford attempted to do the same in return, they had to wait until the hour mark to win their bonus point.
Tui Uru began the move in midfield and the ball worked out wide via the hands of Le Bourgeois, the impressive French and Jamie Elliott before it was finished off by Alex Day in superb fashion.
Mike Rayer’s side could not escape the clutches of the visitors however as they remained in touching distance; James Benjamin bundling over from the driving maul to keep Hartpury within a converted score with ten minutes to go.
The tension was rising around Goldington Road as the clock ticked down, a couple of contentious refereeing decisions incensing the crowd in the Eagle Stand along with a late yellow card for Tui Uru.
Perhaps the largest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for a knock-on from Hartpury, deep in Bedford territory followed by an even louder one for a penalty to the home side.
It brought an end to a slow burner of a game that ended with tension but ultimate delight for the Blues fans in the stands, as Bedford won 28-21 as their unbeaten home record this season continues.
French was particularly impressive on the right wing as was Luke Frost in the pack, while Le Bourgeois carried himself superbly in an unfamiliar full-back position.
However, it was the calmness and the professionalism that impressed most, with Bedford closing out the game expertly to maintain their unbeaten home record to rise to fourth.
Elsewhere, Ealing Trailfinders smashed London Scottish, and Jersey Reds narrowly saw off Doncaster 19-17 as both kept up their 100% records for the season, surging ahead of the rest.
Nottingham are the surprise package in third, beating Richmond on Friday night while Ampthill recovered from 17-7 down to beat Caldy 26-24, while Coventry beat Cornish Pirates.
