Three victories from four Championship fixtures represents a good return for Mike Rayer and his men heading into an historically tough fixture against Doncaster Knights on Ladies Day at Goldington Road on Saturday.
The Blues will don pink for the annual fundraiser, raising money for Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice based in Moggerhanger for the second successive season.
While Bedford Blues sit third in the Championship table, it has been far from straightforward, with two last-minute victories against Hartpury and Cornish Pirates earning the Blues maximum points in the last fortnight.
Doncaster have themselves endured a chequered start; a stunning 36-35 away victory at title favourites Ealing, was followed by a 12-0 home defeat against a stronger than usual, London Scottish last weekend.
In this fixture last season, Louis Grimoldby, now of Cambridge, completed what was a stunning Blues comeback with a last-gasp drop goal in the final play of the game to secure a 32-29 victory in front of a raucous crowd.
One would think a similar outcome would be more than satisfactory for Rayer and his coaching staff.
Read: Dramatic finale at Goldington Road as Bedford Blues steal key win against Knights
Three changes in the pack
Changes have been few and far between in this good Blues start, and Mike Rayer has opted for just three alterations from the starting XV in Penzance last weekend.
The hero from that game, Joey Conway, is rewarded with a start in the number one jersey with Luke Frost replacing Fyn Brown in the second row.
Joe Howard, who has recently returned from a long-term injury, makes his first start of the campaign alongside Frost.
Front rowers, Craig Wright and Ollie Scola are the latest new Northampton Saints names to make the Bedford Blues’ bench and they will surely make an appearance alongside George Smith, Beltus Nonleh and George Makepeace-Cubitt, also of the Saints squad.
Following the game, there will be the customary shirt auction in the CMC Marquee and a range of other fundraising activities, such as a raffle and bucket collection, will be taking place pre and post-game.
A special £15 Ground Entry ticket is available to all ladies for Saturday’s game when purchased online here, with all other matchday tickets available via the same link.
The game kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 19 October at Goldington Road.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14 Alfie Garside, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Ed Prowse, 5. Luke Frost, 6. Joe Howard, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Craig Wright, 17. Ollie Scola, 18. Beltus Nonleh, 19. George Smith, 20. Cameron King, 21. James Lennon, 22. Matt Worley, 23. George Makepeace-Cubitt
