Bedford Blues Women are celebrating another league title, after securing the NC1 East championship on Sunday (29 March).
Wymondham Wasps’ concession on Sunday officially gave the Blues the title, but arguably their success was confirmed last weekend, when Claire Cranfield’s last gasp try saw them beat nearest rivals, Colchester Iceni 27-24 at Goldington Road.
That triumph over Colchester was their 11th win from 12 league games, with the only minor blotch a 17-17 draw at Hitchin at the beginning of an exceptionally busy March, that has seen Eddie Rennell’s team finish top of the pile for a second time in three years.
In a dramatic encounter at Goldington Road, Claire Cranfield’s 82nd minute try secured her hat-trick and all of the points, which all but secured the title ahead of today’s planned encounter against Wymondham.
It also saw Cranfield, and captain Lucy Middleton go past 100 points in Blues colours.
A walkover of Wymondham perhaps wasn’t the way the Blues would have wanted to secure another league title, but the Blues continue to make waves in the Women’s game with another promotion, that will see them step up to Championship level rugby next season.
Championship 2 is level three of the Women’s rugby pyramid, two steps below the PWR (Premiership Women’s Rugby).
Other notable victories include a rampant 64-5 victory away at Sunday’s planned opponents, Wymondham and a 22-10 victory against second place, Stamford at the beginning of February, while the Blues also beat Colchester away from home in December.
The team also reached the quarter finals of the RFU Intermediate Plate, beating Chinnor 42-10 in the round of 16, before succumbing to runaway Women’s Championship South East leaders, Beckenham in the last eight.
Today’s friendly fixture against a depleted Wymondham saw the Blues score 13 tries as they celebrated their league title success in style.
The Blues have an opportunity to complete an unbeaten league season, when they host Ipswich in their final game of the campaign on Saturday, 25 April, leaving a lot of time for celebrations and preparations ahead of another brand new venture into 2026/27.
