Bedford Blues have lost their first three games of a league season for the first time since 2014, following a 40-38 defeat at Champ Rugby new boys, Rotherham Titans on Saturday (3 October).
A final minute conversion could have secured a dramatic draw for Bedford Blues, but Ben Dufficy’s kick was charged down by a red and blue shirt, sparking wild scenes of celebration for last season’s National One champions in South Yorkshire.
The consolation of a single losing bonus point, meaning the Blues are at least on the board following three consecutive defeats, will be of little comfort to a side who have now started a second tier season with three losses for the first time in 12 years.
James Bennett’s fourth minute try – his second in as many games – looked to have set the tone for the Blues, who were favourites for the clash despite starting the day bottom of the table.
But three tries before the half hour mark put the Titans in the ascendency, as Isaac Shaw, JB Bruzulier and Lloyd Hayes scored a trio of tries inside ten minutes, with the latter converting all three.
Lucas Titherington hit back for Bedford with an excellent turn of foot, but Ben Cambriani’s try with the final play of the half opened up another two-try gap, with Rotherham leading 28-14 at the interval.
Game on ’til the final kick of the ball
At 14 points down, the Blues will have been hopeful of a turnaround, but events went from bad to worse inside five minutes as Rotherham scored a fifth.
It came from back row, Lekima Ravuvu before Hayes added a fifth conversion on a solid afternoon of kicking, and while Henry Walker added a third try for the Blues off the back of a rolling maul, Bedford were consistently left to play catch up.
Jackson Barling and Tommy Herman traded further tries, leaving the score at 40-26, but Mike Rayer’s men hit twice more inside the final ten minutes to induce a comeback that could have kick started their season.
Titherington scored a second of the afternoon two minutes after Herman’s try, and when Archie Benson bundled over with the clock nearing the red, it left the Blues with a golden opportunity to tie the game at 40-40.
But Dufficy’s conversion from close range was charged down, leaving Bedford agonisingly short, and Rotherham free to celebrate a second win since their return to the second tier.
The Blues remain last, and face two tough asks in the next fortnight, beginning with the visit of Cornish Pirates, who became the first side to beat Ealing in a regular season game since the 2024/25 campaign on Saturday.
Reigning champions, Worcester are three wins from three following a comfortable victory at Richmond, alongside Ampthill who also have a 100% record following Friday night’s impressive win at Hartpury.
Coventry were also big winners at Nottingham on Friday, while Chinnor edged past Caldy on Saturday. Doncaster Knights host Blackheath in the Sunday fixture.
