Two second half tries apiece for Fred Tuilagi and Dean Adamson helped Bedford Blues to a second consecutive maximum point victory in Champ Rugby against Nottingham on Friday night (16 October), winning 29-12.
Louis James was also on the scoresheet as the Blues – at least temporarily – bounce up to seventh in the division in the first game of round five in English rugby’s second tier.
In a fixture that is historically tight, the Blues came out on top in a slow burner of a rugby union clash, adding more evidence that Mike Rayer’s side are getting over their early season stupor.
The 17-point margin of victory was the largest for either side in this Lady Bay fixture since February 2022, with Dean Adamson’s late second try opening up the three-try gap needed to gain the vital bonus point.
Bar a 13-try mauling at Goldington Road in April 2025, in which Adamson scored five, fixtures against Craig Hammond’s men have been close and occasionally dramatic.
George Worth’s last gasp try in this fixture in November secured a last gasp 28-28 draw, with the Blues going on to win eight of their next ten en route to the play-off final.
Read: Bedford Blues salvage a draw from the jaws of defeat at Nottingham
March’s reverse saw Nottingham claim a prized scalp at Goldington Road, but on Friday night, the Blues pulled clear with four second half tries after a typically tight first half that ended with both sides locked at 7-7.
Nottingham unable to make the most of first half pressure
After a promising start that ended with one of many first half spills, the Blues spent the majority of the opening period under pressure from an attack-minded Nottingham.
Yet, despite decent territory throughout the first quarter, Nottingham were unable to put points on the board until the 24th minute, in which they were aided by a man advantage.
James Bennett was the man sin-binned for the Blues, and a mere minute later, the hosts were in front as Will Ramply collected a line out five metres out, and the rolling maul was once again used to good effect to score.
Michael Green was the man to gain the final touch, but following O’Leary’s extras, they were Nottingham’s only points for a full 45 minutes as the Blues battled back to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
They were made to wait for their surge; Louis James’ first half try plus Maisey’s conversion were the only other points in an otherwise attritional first half, leaving both sides deadlocked at 7-7.
Three tries in 18 minutes
Those with good memories will remember 7-7 was the scoreline at half time in November, but unlike last season’s clash, the Blues extended clear with four tries in the second period, shared between two talismen.
Fred Tuilagi battered through two defenders to give the Blues a lead for the first time on 45 minutes, and ten minutes later, the number eight was at it again following persistent Bedford pressure.
When Dean Adamson got in on the act with an acrobatic finish, scoring a try for the 11th time in 12 Champ Rugby games, the Blues had opened up a 24-7 advantage that Nottingham were unable to recoup.
David Williams’ try was the only dent they made to the lead, and their poor second half was compounded when Adamson added a second try three minutes from time to take the try count to five against Nottingham’s two.
That difference is key given the new bonus points system in Champ Rugby, which means sides only gain a winning bonus point by scoring three tries more than their opposition.
It was almost fitting that Adamson, who has enjoyed many a try against Nottingham in recent years, was the one to take them over the line, with the Blues rising to seventh ahead of the rest of the card over the weekend.
Worcester, who are top of the table with a perfect record, travel to Hartpury in Saturday’s late kick off, with Ealing taking on Champ Rugby newcomers, Blackheath and third-placed, Coventry travelling to Doncaster Knights.
Ampthill will look to build on an impressive start with victory at Caldy, while Richmond – the only side of 14 in the division not to win so far – will look to open their account against a confident Rotherham Titans on Sunday.
That will bring an end to the first block of five fixtures, with Bedford Blues returning to action on Halloween following a division-wide week off, welcoming Hartpury to Goldington Road on Saturday, 31 October.
