Bedford Blues will host Worcester in the play-off final of Champ Rugby after the Warriors stunned Ealing Trailfinders in the second play-off semi-final, winning 34-29 in a dramatic finish.
A try at the last from former Bedford winger, Jake Garside was the final play in a yo-yo encounter that saw Ealing defeated for the first time this season and secures the Warriors their place in the grand final, which will be hosted in Bedford.
Due to the competition rules, the play-off final will be hosted at Goldington Road on Sunday, 31 May, courtesy of the Blues’ second place finish in the regular season standings, ahead of Worcester in fourth.
Bedford Blues reached the showpiece event following a stunning 58-24 semi-final triumph over Coventry on Friday night (22 May), with six second half tries sending Goldington Road into raptures.
Read: Bedford Blues thrash Coventry to secure spot in Champ Rugby play-off final
It was a night that will live long in the memory, but attention now turns to next weekend as the Blues look to take the final step and win the second tier title.
Peaking at 112 decibels
Following a second half for the ages on Friday night, onlookers at Goldington Road commented on the incredible atmosphere as the Blues romped home as night fell.
One regular fan, Connor Holt, tells the Bedford Independent that his smart watch kept pinging as the noise level in front of The Burrow reached epic heights.
“Hands down one of the greatest halves of rugby I’ve ever seen!” says Connor.
“My watch went off on multiple occasions telling me it was over 100 decibels in front of The Burrow [At the Blues].
“It peaked at 112 decibels.”
Now, the Goldington Road faithful will have a chance to test the eardrums of their fellow fans once more, as Worcester Warriors come to town for the showpiece final.
That Ealing Trailfinders are not in it is a huge shock, as they were odds on favourites to retain the Champ Rugby crown following a 100% perfect league season of 26 wins from 26 games.
Their first loss of the 2025/26 season came at the most inopportune moment as Worcester scored five tries, including Garside’s strike in the 80th minute, to keep their West London hosts at bay.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Blackheath won their promotion/relegation play-off against London Scottish, meaning they have been promoted to Champ Rugby next season, alongside National One champions, Rotherham.
London Scottish have been relegated to National One, alongside Champ Rugby’s bottom club, Cambridge.
However, all eyes now turn to the home of Bedford Blues. The Champ Rugby play-off final against Worcester Warriors will kick off at 15:00 on Sunday, 31 May at Goldington Road.
