Bedford Blues

Thursday 15th May - Golf Society at Abbotsley Golf Club

Saturday 2nd August - A concert by the London Welsh Rugby Club Choir, with guest soloist Emily Rowley-Jones, in memory of former player, Keith Roberts.

Proceeds to leukaemia research. - Blues Marquee

CLUB DINNER MAY 2008

The Annual Club Dinner was held in the Irvine Whitlock Marquee on Friday, 2nd May. Guests were R.B. 'Bob' Taylor,President of The Rugby Football Union, Derek Watkins,President of the East Midlands RFU and the players. Guest speaker was Ian Robertson, BBC rugby correspondent and entertainment was provided by comedian, Russ Williams.

FORMER PLAYERS SPRING LUNCHEON APRIL 2008

The spring luncheon took place on Saturday, 5th April. It was very pleasing that the marquee was filled to capacity, especially as many more recent familiar faces like Marcus Cook and Richard Stone attended. Our oldest international player John Bance and his wife were guests of the Association. We were also very pleased that the President of the RFU, R.B. 'Bob' Taylor and the President of the East Midlands, Derek Watkins were able to attend.

ANNUAL LONDON LUNCH 2008

The Former Players Association was hosted at their annual London lunch on Wednesday, 13th February by former player, Phil Boulding QC. Forty former players met in the magnificent surroundings of The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn and enjoyed an excellent lunch. According to Association secretary Tony Mills, plans are already in hand for next year's event.

Wednesday 16th April - Golf Former Players v Present Players at Pavenham Golf Club

Former players retain the President's Cup, played on 16th April at Pavenham Golf Club.

The annual Former Blues and the Blues took place at Pavenham Park GC on Wednesday, 16th April. The Blues suffered a major setback when Patso was forced to drop out with a wrist injury.

Groups were hastily re-arranged and the President sent out both captains, Cools and Straussey as the last pair.

Bob Wilkinson and Ian ‘Rigor’ Mortimer v Rory McKay and Will Chudley
Bob and Rigor were two up after two holes and thought they were going to coast it. However, the current Blues are made of sterner stuff and recovered to lead by 1 after 9 , courtesy of at least two missed very short putts from Bob(his words) and Will’s particularly good play, being gross level par for 6 holes from 7 to 12.
Rigor adds that Will must stop saying ‘sorry’ when he meant it all the time! At one stage, the Former Blues were 3 down, recovered to all square on the 16th , one down on the 17th, but a birdie from Bob on the 18th , squared the match.
All square

Sam Roberts and Rex Atkins v Marco Cecere and Peter Clark
A well contested match, with Marco, in particular, playing some very good golf, net birdie-ing 5 holes as well as net eagle-ing the 1st. However, the former players dovetailed well and gross birdied stroke index one and two between them (Rex’s 3 at the 7th was pretty special, holing a ten footer across a tricky green) and found themselves 2 up with 2 to play. The Blues won the 17th , but Former Blues came back strongly to win the last hole.
Win Former Blues

Mike Pile and Keith Lilley v James Pritchard and Brendan Burke
This match was nip and tuck all the way round. Pritch and Brendan were one up with one to play, but the ‘old boys’ could only manage to halve the last hole. Apparently, at one point ‘the young boys’ were having slight communication problems. Going down the 9th fairway Pritch misunderstood Brendan’s directions and played a superb shot down the 5th fairway! The coach should probably keep his signals fairly simple next season!
Win Blues

Gareth Davies and Dave Jancey v Karl Dickson and James Knight
Experience and steady golf were enough to ensure an emphatic 7 and 6 victory for the President and his ‘younger’ partner Dave Jancey. Despite a valiant effort from ‘Dicko’ and some outrageous over-clubbing by young James Knight they shook hands on the 12th.
Win Former Blues

Mike Rayer and Tony McKay v John Elrick and Alistair Lyon
Not a good start from the ‘old boys’ who found themselves 3 down after 3 holes.They had managed to pull one back by the 5th and until the 16th the rest of the holes were halved. Wins on the 16th and 17th made it all square going into the last hole. The Former Blues had a chance to win as the ‘young boys’ were now very fatigued, having gone round in a buggy! However, the chance disappeared with Mike four putting the last and the game finished all square.
All square

John Cooley v Nic Strauss
Apparently playing against Straussey can be very daunting with his huge drives and constant demand for sweets! But a great start from Cools with a birdie on the 1st and an eagle on the 5th left Nic speechless, which is a first! He did however, comment that he had to get a par on the stroke index one to win a hole. An 8 and 7 ensured victory for the former players.
Win Former Blues

Final result 4-2 to Former Blues.

Mobbs Memorial Golf Match

This year, the third annual golf match resulted in an emphatic victory for Northampton by four and a half to one and a half. Northampton are now in the lead with two victories to one.

Golf Society Results - Abbotsley GC 16th August 2007:

1st Dave Jancey
2nd Roger Slaughter
3rd Gareth Davies