It was another busy weekend in the world of club rugby, with Sharnbrook and Colworth bouncing back from defeat at Rushden and Higham, while Bedford Ath once again suffered a narrow loss.
Bedford Athletic were edged out away to CS Stags, although the match yielded two bonus points but perhaps it should have been more as the Ath dominated the closing stages.
The Stags started the sharper side and they were soon on the scoreboard; hooker Ricky Hollamby touching down after a strong driving maul.
Soon after, it was 12-0 thanks to the same method; the home side dominating the early stages, finding themselves with a healthy lead before the ten minute mark.
Bedford Athletic began to work their way back into the game helped by strong running from centres Steve Smith and Harry Sawford-Smith, but it was the pack who dealt Bedford’s first blow.
A penalty was won for a late tackle inside the Stags half, and with the home side illegally bringing down a ferocious driving maul, a penalty try was awarded.
Back in the game at 12-7, it was Smith who opened up the home defence when he was illegally stopped just short of the line. The visitors opted for a scrum penalty which several phases later led to a try out wide for Josh Cassell.
Moments later, Stephen Woodhead pounced on a loose ball, and fed full back Oli Petrides in who scored Bedford’s third try, but Angus Low hit back as the two sides went into the half-time break at 17-17.
Lock, Tom Johnson restored the Stags’ lead shortly into the second half; in a move that saw the Ath reduced to 14 men although they did hit back through Sawford-Smith to secure a bonus point.
They did however gift the lead to their opposition straight from the kick off, as second row Giorgio Boccardo ran in for the try and despite the Ath dominating the closing moments, they fell 27-22.
The challenges don’t get any easier for Bedford Ath as they host table-topping Westcombe Park in Regional One South East next weekend at Putnoe Woods.
Sharnbrook win their Battle of Bedfordshire
In the East Midlands 2A Merit League, Sharnbrook and Colworth hosted Stockwood Park in the battle of North Beds versus South Beds, and it was Sharnbrook who came out on top by 50 points to 19.
Four tries for man-of-the-match, Frederick Linsley set Sharnbrook on their way to a big win, along with two for David Spencer and a try apiece for Chris Bezant and James Paull, who also nailed five conversions.
The convincing victory leaves Sharnbrook and Colworth top of the table although hot on their heels are Leighton Buzzard in second and Rushden and Higham, who beat Sharnbrook 24-12 last weekend.
Queens lose out at unbeaten Spalding
Bedford Queens were also unlucky in defeat. Despite tries from Jack Peachey, Jamie Frost, Alastair Wilkinson and Luke Pollard, they lost 34-29 to Spalding although they too picked up two bonus losing points.
They were 34-17 down with twenty minutes to go before staging a late comeback but they fell five points short while Spalding keep their unbeaten start to the league season.
The Queens Vets were also in action for the first time this season and came away with a 38-7 victory against Old Northamptonians.
