One day in 1999, Geoff Irvine received a phone call from boxing promoter, Frank Warren about saving a beleaguered rugby club on the verge of collapse.
22 years later, Irvine was an onlooker along with the returning Bedford Blues faithful for his final league game as Chairman against local rivals, Ampthill in the latest instalment of the Battle of Bedfordshire.
In an interview for the Daily Telegraph, the outgoing chairman spoke about his time with the Blues and specifically, the state of the Championship, representing the league on the RFU Council in recent years:
“I am extremely concerned about the future of the Championship. What happens in the next couple of months, in particular, at the next RFU council meeting is going to have a major impact.”
“Last year I addressed the RFU council for the final time and urged them to reconsider. I told them: ‘The illegitimate child [the Championship] that was fathered by the RFU is being sent to the orphanage!”
Sean McCarthy lead the pack in his final appearance before retirement, with Jack Hughes making his first start of the season along with Henry Paul in the front row.
There were five changes in total for Mike Rayer’s side, including returns to the starting line up at scrum half for James Lennon and also Jordan Onojaife.
The beginning was frantic, with Bedford on the scoreboard after just two minutes as Josh Gillespie kicked deep and then charged the return before completing the touch down himself via Joe Atkinson.
Two minutes later however, Ampthill bounced back as a couple of missed tackles for Bedford offered the visitors an easy try through Suvwe Obano.
A Will Maisey penalty restored Bedford’s lead in a fast start with both sides looking to play fluid, flair-filled rugby to entertain the returning crowd at Goldington Road.
A second try soon followed for the hosts, with James Lennon diving over in a try described as a “party piece” by commentator, Sam Roberts as Bedford built their lead.
However, Ampthill are building a reputation as the ultimate battlers and were never likely to let Bedford get away from them, as Charlie Beckett scored the visitor’s second try to reduce the deficit to one point.
Then a moment of drama, as Oli Curry, who received a red card in the Blues pre-season game against the same opponents, was sent off again after striking out at Charlie Beckett.
Beckett himself received a yellow card for his original infringement, but while Ampthill would spend the next ten minutes down to 14 men, the Blues would spend the remaining hour without their number six.
This didn’t perturb Bedford though who broke in the next play, with Josh Gillespie providing a wonderful offload to Elijah Niko who scored the hosts’ third try and opening up a 20-14 lead.
It was almost as if the red card had caused the Blues to find a further gear as another flowing move out wide was finished off by Matt Worley; the fans appreciating a classic Bedford move with raucous cheers.
The 27-14 half-time lead may have looked a decent one, but Ampthill came flying out of the blocks and scored their third try almost immediately, with Llewellyn Jones rampaging over.
The men in black smelt blood, with a further yellow card for the retiring Sean McCarthy giving the visitors a two man advantage.
A few moments later, they were ahead for the first time in the game, as Russell Bennett converted a Syd Blackmore try and all of a sudden, the Blues faced a long road back.
The incidents just kept coming in a game that was turning into a classic; Ampthill’s Dave Ward the latest recipient of a yellow card as Bedford battled into good territory.
Will Maisey then found himself with space and fed Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas to dive over and restore Bedford’s four-point lead.
The game was set up perfectly for a grandstand finish, with Bedford holding on to their 32-28 advantage with ten minutes remaining as a brief lull in proceedings was broken by handbags in the forward lines.
However, Bedford showed invaluable experience and continued to battle with a man less than their opponents and expertly played down the clock to secure a big season-closing victory.
The brilliant win brings an end to a tricky season for the Blues, who have had to manage amalgamating two squads with little preparation.
With Northampton Saints loanees playing a large part in match day sides, Mike Rayer’s team will look to kick on when the new season comes round, hopefully with fans a regular fixture.
For now though, the Blues must make do with a finish towards the lower end of the Championship table, while the likelihood is that Saracens and Ealing will battle it out in the play-offs for a place in the Premiership.
