Louis Grimoldby’s last-gasp drop goal gave Bedford Blues a dramatic 32-29 comeback victory against Doncaster Knights to solidify fourth place in the Championship.
It sealed a remarkable Bedford Blues fight back and put the seal on another rugby union season at Goldington Road, sending 3,037 fans into raptures at the last whistle on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
For the final time this season, Bedford Blues welcomed the local rugby community to Goldington Road and they were treated to a rollercoaster of emotions in what became a Championship classic.
The Knights had the best of the opening moments and it was Russell Bennett who gave the visitors the early lead from the kicking tee inside the first eight minutes.
Before the quarter hour mark, the Blues got on the scoreboard with their first real foray forward as Alex Day’s quick tap penalty found Worley and when he offloaded to Joe Howard, the flanker made no mistake in bundling over the try line.
Sin bin hurts Blues
A potentially key moment hit after twenty minutes as the Knights were awarded a penalty try and with James Fish dismissed for ten, the Blues found themselves a man down.
Will Maisey’s penalty brought the scores level at 10-10 but Connor Edwards made sure the Knights would make their numerical advantage count as he broke through a tackle to dive over for Doncaster’s second try as they regained the lead.
A period of handbags followed as Billy McBryde appeared to drop the ball out of play on his own twenty-two yard line, much to the delight of the on-rushing Dean Adamson, but Doncaster were awarded the line out anyway.
From there, the Knights worked their way up field and while they didn’t take their first opportunity, they took their second with ease as Archie Smeaton broke through to score the Knights’ third.
The Blues could not get any foothold in the game; knock ons and losing lineouts becoming the lasting image of a frustrating first half, capped when Howard could not collect Joel Matavesi’s final pass before the half-time whistle blew at 24-10 to the visitors.
Blues leave it late
The second half began in the same vain as the first as Worley spilled a pass forward on a promising looking attack, along with the now customary lost line out, and Doncaster made them pay.
It was Maliq Holden who eventually touched down for the bonus point as the Knights extended their lead to 29-10 with groans ringing out around the ground.
Seán French almost reduced the deficit after 54 minutes but was brought down just before the try line, but illegally so by Knights’ hooker George Roberts who saw yellow.
The Blues did get their try moments later as Cameron King bundled over on the right wing and although Maisey’s conversion slid wide, Bedford sensed a way back into the game with an hour on the clock.
While Adamson nearly chased down his own kick after 65 minutes, the third try for the Blues came swiftly after as Maisey darted through a gap and although he was tackled a couple of metres out, Bryan O’Connor took over and scored in front of the posts.
Bedford were getting more of the ball than they had in the first forty minutes and had at least solidified their passing game, but sturdy Doncaster defence – as well as some game management – were keeping the Blues at bay.
The fitting end to a Goldington Road season
It was Howard’s break through the centre that opened up the game with just three minutes left, and while George Roberts was shown a red card in the middle of the action, Bedford were busy concentrating on the try line.
It would be Alex Woolford who would score under the posts to give Maisey the simplest of conversions to level the game at 29-29 but the action was not done yet.
Doncaster Knights’ kick off didn’t go the required ten metres, giving the ball to Bedford at the scrum on the half way line.
In a flash, the Blues were in opposition territory, and Louis Grimoldby was waiting thirty yards out, a la Jonny Wilkinson in the Rugby World Cup Final of 2003.
James Lennon’s pinpoint pass left Grimoldby with one job, and the former Ampthill man duly obliged by slotting home the drop goal to send the home fans into delirium and securing a 32-29 victory for Bedford Blues.
It was a fitting end to another home season, but Bedford Blues are not done yet as they face two further trips to the capital in London Scottish and Ealing and they will need to be at their best to hold on to fourth spot.
After a tough month for all in the Blues camp however, few would begrudge them the celebrations as they toughed it out to gain maximum points.
Elsewhere, Ealing took a big step towards the Championship title as they brought an abrupt end to Ampthill’s winning run with a 57-14 victory.
Coventry remain in second after beating London Scottish on Friday night while Cornish Pirates remain hot on their heels in third after seeing off Nottingham, also on Friday night.
The division’s only other game was an entertaining one as Hartpury beat Caldy 57-36 in a high-scoring encounter in Gloucestershire.
