Bedford Blues extended their impressive unbeaten run in Champ Rugby on Saturday (20 December), scoring five tries as part of a superb 35-19 victory against Worcester Warriors at Goldington Road.
A double apiece for Louis James and Blues legend, Michael Le Bourgeois was supplemented by a second half try for Tui Uru as the Blues completed perhaps their best performance of the season against one of the pre-season title favourites in Worcester.
Both sides came into this clash in fine form, with Worcester winning their last six games, including a 31-19 victory over a resilient Richmond last weekend, while the Blues have been equally consistent, having won a fourth consecutive league encounter at Cornish Pirates.
Read: Bedford Blues continue fine form in Penzance with another tight win against the Pirates
The history books are unkind when it comes to this fixture for the Blues, having won just one of 11 previous encounters, but they turned that form on its head with a pre-Christmas performance that will draw smiles from all in the Bedford camp.
A bonus point by half time
The first ten minutes were played almost exclusively inside the Worcester 22 as the hosts set the tone, and their early pressure paid dividends with a smart tap penalty play leading to the game’s opening try for Blues stalwart, Michael Le Bourgeois.
A simple conversion under the posts for Will Maisey – who passed 2,000 career points in last week’s victory in Penzance – gave the Blues an early 7-0 lead, and by the eight-minute mark, the lead was doubled to 14-0 thanks again to Le Bourgeois.
It was the pulsating, fast-paced start that has sometimes evaded Bedford this campaign, but they also showed their brutality at the other end, as Worcester’s first real challenge for the try line was held up by a bombastic Blues defence after 20 minutes.
The home side were also overpowering the Warriors scrum as the encounter became more attritional, with the Blues soaking up some pressure from the visitors, although Bedford almost trebled their try count after 35 minutes.
A flowing move out wide, including a very risky but ultimately rewarding pass from Maisey, eventually found George Worth but he was bundled into touch when millimetres from the try line.
It wasn’t long before the third try did arrive however; another fast move orchestrated by scrum half, Day found Louis James who cut back inside for a well-deserved score, before he too doubled his tally with the bonus point try on the verge of half-time.
With the addition of a yellow card for Tom Seabrook, the first half could not have gone much worse for the visitors, while the fourth try capped a brilliant first half performance from the Blues, who went into the sheds 28-0 up.
Late tries do little to dampen spirits
The only positive to take from Worcester’s point of view was the fact they had the aid of the slope in the second half, although Bedford were once again inches away from extending their lead on 46 minutes, as the ball narrowly outpaced Adamson after a Day grubber kick.
Despite their 28-point deficit, the visitors continued to deploy a kicking game, much to the frustration of an impressive contingent of away fans, but on the occasion they did decide to run the ball through the hands, they were duly rewarded.
The move was inch perfect, and finished off by full back, Will Trewin, but the Blues hit back almost immediately in scrappy fashion courtesy of Tui Uru and with Maisey converting another, the Blues were 35-5 in front on the hour mark.
Again, the game became scrappy and punctuated by the referee’s whistle throughout the meat of the half, but at 35-5, it was perfect for the Blues who were able to manage the game out, despite a couple of heart in mouth moments as they attempted to turn up the flair.
A late game scrap, started off the back of Tommy Herman dragging former Blues winger, Jake Garside into touch, only served to provide some game-ending entertainment for the baying crowd of 3,277.
The Warriors would go on to score two late tries thanks to Will Reed and James Short, but they were minor blotches on what was the most complete of Bedford Blues performances, as they leapfrogged Worcester into second place in Champ Rugby.
The final 35-19 scoreline was a more than fair reflection of a game that Bedford dominated for large parts, both up front and in attack, extending their unbeaten run in the division to nine games.
Elsewhere in Champ Rugby, Ealing extended their lead at the top thanks to thrashing Cambridge, Coventry won an entertaining affair at the Butts Park Arena against Nottingham, and Ampthill won an equally enjoyable clash against London Scottish.
Chinnor thrashed Cornish Pirates 47-10, while there were also triumphs for Hartpury against Caldy and for Doncaster Knights at Richmond on Friday night.
Next up is the welcome return to Boxing Day rugby at Goldington Road, as the Blues welcome Richmond to Goldington Road with a sell out crowd of 5,000 expected.
