Bedford Blues nearly pulled off a shock in the north east on Friday night as they lost a painstaking affair against Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park in the Premiership Cup.
In a clash that became attritional as the wet and windy weather drew in, Mike Rayer’s side were a mere ten minutes away from a cup shock before Newcastle pressure told late on.
Read: Eight changes for Bedford as Blues travel north again
The final scoreline of 26-16 was harsh on the Blues as a wonderful defensive performance in tough conditions made life difficult for the Premiership side, only for the Falcons to take victory late on.
It was the Blues who scored the opening points of the game courtesy of Louis Grimoldby’s right boot but after ten minutes, the hosts took the lead as Ollie Fletcher found the try line.
By then, the terrible weather had kicked in; the wind and rain making attractive rugby extremely difficult and it was the rain that played a part as the Blues spilled the ball in dangerous territory on the half hour mark.
This led to Newcastle gaining possession deep in Bedford territory, and despite some last ditch big hits, the ball eventually found its way to Zach Kerr to touch down.
The 12-3 half-time score was a nod to the weather but also to the evenly matched sides, but after the half-time break, the Blues found a different gear.
French fire
Seán French – who passed a head injury assessment at the end of the first half – was the man who who would ignite Bedford chances as he took the Blues into the lead.
Grimoldby scored another penalty in the opening moments of the second period before he passed the kicking tee to French who nailed a massive penalty to reduce the deficit further to 12-9.
Moments later, the visitors were in front as Matt Worley raced clear and his offload found the Irishman who dived over to take Bedford into a 16-12 lead.
It wasn’t until the 70th minute that Newcastle would steal the lead back; heroic Bedford defending not enough as Seb de Chaves was the man to appear from a bundle of bodies to stretch over.
At 19-16, the game was still alive and although French had another chance to restore parity with a tough long penalty, his effort ultimately missed and it was the final foray that the Blues would have.
A late try from Falcons speedster, Adam Radwan was the stake to the heart that ended the contest, giving Newcastle a 26-16 victory and leaving Bedford Blues on two losses from two cup games.
Blues more than hold their own
While some could argue that errors and a difference in quality led to Sale Sharks’ opening weekend victory, the opposite can be said this week.
At times, Bedford’s defence was epic and while French’s boot and Worley’s pace nearly won them the game, Mike Rayer’s side can be proud of a valiant effort in the north east this time around.
Attention now turns to more familiar foes, as two fixtures against Championship sides come next in this new competition.
The Blues make their competitive home bow against Caldy next weekend before making the short trip to Ampthill on 30th September.
The pool stage ends with a mighty contest against Leicester Tigers at Goldington Road the following weekend before the league season begins in earnest against the ever dangerous Ealing on 21st October.
Elsewhere on Friday evening, Leicester Tigers narrowly saw off Sale Sharks 18-14 in Bedford’s pool while Hartpury beat Nottingham 21-17.
The rest of this round of pool fixtures take place on Saturday before the sole Sunday fixture sees Ealing travel to Bristol.
