A fortnight on from an eventful 42-42 draw in the final pool game of the Championship Cup, Bedford Blues and Doncaster Knights locked horns once again in league action under the Friday night lights at Goldington Road.
Read: Blues and Knights battle out compelling draw as unbeaten record remains
After a slow start to the league season by the Knights’ high standards, the Yorkshiremen were looking to break into the Championship’s top four while the Blues looked to leapfrog third-placed Coventry.
Blues stalwart, Dean Adamson led the teams out on his 150th appearance for Bedford Blues but the left winger had a quiet evening as the opposite winger stole the show at a chilly Goldington Road.
Sam Olver and Will Maisey – making his 50th appearance in Blues colours – exchanged penalties in the early stages but it was Ethan Grayson who scored the first try of the evening after momentous pressure from the Blues allowed the centre to walk in under the posts.
A second try came soon after; Oisin Heffernan bundling over on the near side to open up a 12-point advantage for the home team but a blunder by Tui Uru from the resulting kick-off gifted Doncaster the territory to hit back with a try of their own through George Edgson.
It was Bedford who would take a lead in to the sheds though; a wonderful break from Matt Worley straight through the centre of the park followed by a beautiful floating pass allowed Seán French to sprint under the posts to give the hosts a 22-13 half-time lead.
Doncaster hold on
Within a minute of the opening whistle of the second half, the bonus point was secured.
An ambitious kick into the right hand corner took a favourable bounce straight into the hands of Seán French who scored his second of the evening to continue his fine form in recent weeks and open up another sizable gap on the scoreboard.
The Knights were not going away though; a long outstretching right limb from John Kelly touched down to keep the Doncaster scoreboard ticking, but Blues captain Alex Day restored the advantage moments after – thanks in large to another fine break from Worley.
The game had threatened to turn into a yo-yo affair with both sides trading scoring blows but with an hour on the clock, the referee’s whistle began to dominate as both teams fell foul; Ed Prowse sent to the bin as a result.
Memories of a fortnight ago would have been in the minds of the Goldington Road faithful and Rhys Tait, who began the last-minute comeback in the cup tie, helped the Knights stay in touch with a well worked try on the right wing.
French on fire
Just like the previous seventy minutes though, whenever Doncaster scored, Mike Rayer’s side hit back and a clever grubber kick by Will Maisey was collected by the pacey Seán French who completed his hat trick to give the Blues a 41-25 advantage.
Unlike a fortnight ago, Doncaster were unable to mount a fightback and with a lot of the ball working its way out to the right wing, Seán French was enjoying an absolute feast as he dived over for his fourth of the evening.
The 48-25 final scoreline was befitting of another fine Bedford Blues attacking display. While French will steal the headlines, Matt Worley was particularly impressive from full-back along with another powerful forward display.
Bedford Blues rise to third in the Championship standings – at least until Coventry host London Scottish on Saturday – while Doncaster Knights remain in fifth.
The other game to take place on Friday night saw Hartpury beat Nottingham 45-31 in the Midlands, with Mike Rayer’s side due to face Hartpury next Friday night.
