Championship
Goldington Road
Blues scored eight tries as they breezed past Plymouth Albion in the first game of the Championship season at Goldington Road.
Three tries from winger Ollie Dodge, along with two from Captain James Pritchard, and single efforts from Sacha Harding, Dan Richmond and Duncan Taylor, gave them a convincing win over the Devon outfit.
The Blues started the game by putting Albion under pressure in their own territory, and in the sixth minute, Plymouth conceded a penalty which Bedford’s Captain James Pritchard duly converted to make it 3-0.
Blues were rewarded for their good play in the 25th minute after previously wasting several good chances. The ball was moved well left to right, as Paul Tupai played the ball to Jackson Wary who held off his man. He passed the ball to Brendan Burke, who was able to kick into the corner where Sacha Harding was duly able to pick up the ball and dive over the line. Pritchard missed the conversion but Blues extended their lead to 8-0.
Plymouth responded in the 29th minute when they won a penalty after a Blues tackler didn’t roll away. Albion fly-half Mark Lee was able to convert it from the half way line to give them three points in what would be their only score of the game.
This only seemed to fire up Bedford, who put endless pressure on Plymouth and in the 34th minute they scored again. The ball was moved from the centre with great vision Burke, passed a long ball to Paul Tupai who played a smart ball to Ollie Dodge who broke through the Plymouth defence to score his first try of the afternoon which was converted by Pritchard to give Blues a 15-3 lead.
Blues were able to score again in extra time after more good play from Burke who once again played in Ollie Dodge to score. Pritchard couldn’t convert the try but Blues went in at Half time 20-3 up.
Plymouth scrum half Ruairi Cushion was sin binned for Plymouth for continually fouling early in the second period and Blues were able to make the most of the extra man advantage.
In the 43rd minute, the Blues were able to force their way over the white line with former captain Dan Richmond emerging with the ball having scored. Pritchard stepped up to score the conversion and put his team in front by 27-3.
By this point Bedford were rampant. In the 47th when Taylor ran through the Plymouth defence, passed to Wray, who beat his man and then played the ball to Ollie Dodge to score his third try of the day. Pritchard missed the conversion but Mike Rayer’s team had a convincing 32-3 lead.
Even with Cushion back on the pitch Plymouth couldn’t contain the hosts, who in the 56th scored again when Taylor dotted down after good work from scrum half Daryl Veenendaal. Pritchard converted his kick to put Blues into a commanding 39-3 position.
In the 76th minute the home team were able to further build on their lead. The ball was moved back into the midfield before going wide where Pritchard was able to score and then convert his own try to give put Bedford 46-3 ahead.
Blues capped the rout off in the 80th minute after continuous pressure on the Plymouth defence. The ball was played wide before replacement Nick Walshe played a delightful chip over the Albion players and into the path of Pritchard to score his second try of the match. He missed the conversion but Blues came away with a very impressive 51-3 win.
Blues Starting XV: Pritchard (c) Taylor, Burke, Bedford, Dodge (Short 58), Dorrian (Farrell 58), Veenendaal (Walshe 64), Ovens, Richmond (Clark 64), Seal (Boulton 50), Howard, Tupai (Tomes 64), Rae(Gillanders 58), Harding, Wray.
Bedford scorers:
Tries: Harding, 25 Dodge, 35, 40, 47, Richmond 43 Taylor, 65, Pritchard 76, 80
Conversions: Pritchard, 35, 43, 56, 76
Penalties: Pritchard, 6
Plymouth scorer:
Penalty: Lee 29
Referee: Dean Richards
Attendance: 2447
