Much has been said of Bedford Blues’ home form this season with Goldington Road becoming a fortress once again but Mike Rayer’s side showed their class away from home on Friday night with a clinical bonus point victory against Hartpury.
The Gloucestershire side have been enjoying a fruitful season of their own and occupied fifth before kick off while Bedford Blues were looking to consolidate their well-deserved place in the Championship’s top four.
After cagey opening skirmishes from both sides, it would be the hosts who would open the scoring as Brad Denty dived over in the corner but it was to be Hartpury’s only score until the 76th minute as Bedford’s clinical attacking display took over.
Half time lead turns to dominant win
A pair of tries from front rowers, Joey Conway and James Fish gave the Blues a 14-7 half-time lead with the opening forty minutes dominated by the boot but it was the second half where the performance would ignite.
A yellow card for Conway on the stroke of half-time threatened to derail the Blues momentum but despite being a man down, Bedford continued to attack in true Blues style.
George Hendy – returning in Blues colours after a weekend with his native Northampton – began the series of tries that would win Bedford the game; finishing off a patient move on the right wing.
Seán French secured the bonus point shortly after with his fifth try in just two games and with Joel Matavesi scoring before the hour, Bedford Blues were motoring towards another victory.
Within the blink of an eye, they lead 35-7 and it was too big a deficit for Hartpury to close despite Harry Short scoring shortly before the full-time whistle.
Grandstand finish to the season
The 35-14 victory sees the Blues jump up to third once again with Coventry facing a tough assignment at Cornish Pirates on Saturday afternoon while Hartpury remain fifth.
Forwards coach, Sean McCarthy was particularly full of praise for his pack after the game:
“It was really good to get a complete performance. Our defence at times was fantastic and it needed to be against a Hartpury side who are a really good outfit this year.
“We want to keep on rolling, keep this momentum going again next week. There are things to work on and we’ll be going back to drawing board for some aspects of our game. We’re targeting a big finish this season.”
Mike Rayer’s side face another Friday night game next weekend as they host Richmond under the Goldington Road floodlights and will want another victory to keep the good times coming.
However, with Ealing, Jersey Reds and Coventry still to come at Goldington Road, the season will end with some tough challenges but with Bedford’s form as it is, a top four finish is still well on the cards.
