Bedford Blues’ dire form at the home of Doncaster Knights, Castle Park continued on Saturday (14 February) as they shipped eight tries to comfortably lose 50-12 in round 17 of Champ Rugby.
Tui Uru’s first half try – his second in as many games – was the only highlight on an otherwise dismal afternoon for the Blues, who crumbled in the face of a dominant second half performance from 10th-placed Knights.
Not since November 2012, when the Blues squeezed past the Knights by a single point, have Bedford found the winning formula at Castle Park, and while the league table would have suggested that Saturday was to be their lucky day, Mike Rayer’s men were once again left wanting.
Life at Castle Park has not been plain-sailing for the Knights this season; they had just won five of their 16 Champ Rugby games before Saturday, amidst reports that they are going to change their full-time model to a “hybrid” one from next season, causing reported unrest.
Blues in touch at half-time
10th place would not be an accepted one in South Yorkshire, but their recent troubles were put behind them on Saturday as they once again put the Blues to the sword.
The Knights were ahead after 11 minutes as Ben Chapman finished off a driving maul, before scoring his second in similar fashion on 26 minutes as Doncaster opened up a 12-0 advantage.
The Blues remained in touch for the rest of the half, culminating in a second try in as many weeks for number eight, Tui Uru.
His unconverted try was the final score of the opening 40 minutes, as the hosts went into the sheds 12-5 in front, but the second half would be dominated by the hosts as they ran in six further scores.
Donny run riot
Ryan Olowofela began the rout, running in the simplest of tries after 44 minutes, before Rhys Tait scored the bonus point try from close range, converted by Russell Bennett, extending the lead to 24-5.
Connor Edwards crashed over a fifth before the hour mark as the Blues began to unravel, before New Zealander, Telusa Veainu ran in an easy sixth a few minutes later.
For all of their efforts in attack, Bedford could not find any momentum, and were instantly stopped in their tracks by a 72nd-minute yellow for James Lennon, as Doncaster added the killer blows late on.
Rhys Tait added his second of the clash on 75 minutes, and while Ben Griffin gained a consolation try for the Blues, the last laugh would be Donny’s as Zach Kerr added the eighth in the last play of the game to bring up a half century of points.
“We’re probably not consistent enough at the minute”, said Blues’ forward, Alex Woolford post-game.
“Since we’ve come back from Christmas, we’re winning one and losing one, and we’re struggling to back up games which is very frustrating.
“We’ve stayed in it in the first half, but we’ve capitulated quickly and it’s not good enough. It’s a quick turnaround for us, and we’ll be pretty honest with each other come Monday, but we’ve obviously got to take our medicine today”, he added.
Ealing remain unbeaten
It ended a forgettable weekend for Bedford Blues, who drop to third in Champ Rugby courtesy of Worcester’s 66-7 mauling of London Scottish on Friday night.
Hartpury are five points back in fourth, after they were the latest side to succumb to Ealing’s 100% record on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Coventry are up to fifth after a 48-21 win over Richmond on Friday, while Chinnor round off the top six after they enjoyed another Champ Rugby triumph, beating Ampthill 30-29 at Olney Field.
There were also victories for Cornish Pirates at Caldy and Nottingham, who beat basement club, Cambridge 21-17.
Bedford Blues are back in action under the Friday night floodlights at Goldington Road next week, as they host London Scottish on 20 February.
