Bedford Tigers have bounced back from the disappointment of missing out on a professional rugby league berth last season with a barnstorming campaign so far, winning their eighth league game on Saturday (26 July) to secure a Southern Conference League play-off spot.
The Tigers ran in ten tries against sixth-placed, Bristol All Golds to win 56-12 at Putnoe Woods to confirm a top four spot, seeing them through to the National play-offs alongside Wests Warriors and Hammersmith Hill Hoists.
It’s the first time the Tigers have reached the play-offs since the Southern Conference League’s inception in 2019, marking a distinct improvement on last season’s seventh place finish.
Elliott Hutchings scored two more tries on Saturday and currently leads the division’s try-scoring charts with 12, while Jamaican international, Josh Hudson-Lett also ran a full 90 metres on his return to the side to dot down one of the other nine.
Bailey Thomas, Henry Higginson, Kye Jacobson, Lewis Sharp, Tino Decaro, Harvey Dench and player of the match, Teddy Davidson scored the others as tries were shared around a squad high in confidence.
This victory was their fifth in a row – and the second time they’ve put a half century of points on Bristol – as the Tigers have enjoyed an unbeaten July, with their last loss coming on 14 June; a tight 28-24 defeat against London Chargers.
The Tigers took their revenge last weekend (19 July), beating the Chargers 22-12 away from home.
Tigers look to re-apply for pro spot
Director of Rugby, Rob Ashton has made no secret of the fact that Bedford Tigers will be re-applying for a professional spot in Betfred League One at the next opportunity; a race they missed out on last season as Goole Vikings took the treasured place after a shake-up of rugby league.
Read: Bedford Tigers lose out to Goole for professional rugby league space
The club have been working harder than ever behind the scenes to improve community links, add commercial opportunities and on the pitch, have brought in some big names such as former Castleford Tigers half back, Adam Rusling.
With the Tigers also opening their season in front of a record crowd at the home of Bedford Blues, Goldington Road on 26 April, the game continues to grow in a part of the country not usually associated with rugby league.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the lads so far,” said Ashton.
“It’s great to see all of their hard work turning into results, but the job isn’t done yet. We’ve got to see the last few games out and be as prepared as we can be for the play-offs at the end of August”.
The season continues this Saturday (2 August) as the Tigers host the division’s bottom side, North Herts Crusaders with a special networking event taking place throughout the afternoon.
The Tigers’ game in the Southern Conference League kicks off at 2.30pm, after the ‘A’ side face their North Herts counterparts at 1pm.
Their remaining fixture list can be found here.
