1st XV News

Bedford Blues had hoped to hit the ground running in front of the Goldington Road faithful but unfortunately Rotherham had decided to pick up where they left off last season.

The Blues tasted defeat against the Titans four times during the Championship and British & Irish Cup last term and sadly that record extended to 5 and 0 on Saturday.

The Yorkshire side ran in eight tries during the 15-42 rout and had it not been for a woeful kicking display from James McKinney – that score line could have been far worse for Bedford.

Bedford Blues will be launching a Guest Ale this Saturday against Rotherham Titans in the Eagle Bar and every month thereafter in partnership with local brewers Charles Wells.

Goldington Road will be introducing a brand new guest ale series, which kicks off this weekend with Wells Waggle Dance, available only in the former Members’ Bar and while stocks last.

The Club hopes supporters will enjoy the additional choice and quality of another Bedford brewed beer which if successful will become a lasting feature on the Blues pumps throughout the season.

Despite an opening day defeat away to Nottingham last Friday, there will be no wallowing for the Bedford Blues squad who aim to use the result to spur them on in their first home game of the season against Rotherham Titans on Saturday.

The game in Nottingham saw the Blues beaten 19-10 however, forwards coach Martin Hynes says that there are plenty of positives to be drawn from the performance and it has given the players something to work on for the visit of Rotherham and the season ahead.

Sixways Stadium, home of Worcester Warriors, will host a Championship XV fixture against Canada on November 2, with the Championship squad led by Martin Haag and assisted by Kevin Maggs.

In a new addition to the fixture calendar, the Championship XV concept will be reignited following its 2012 success against the Maori All Blacks. The best XV from across the league will face Canada at Sixways Stadium in a showpiece game highlighting the talent on offer in the second tier, while providing a unique international experience for players and spectators alike.

James Pritchard’s testimonial year will kick-off with a black tie dinner in the Blues Marquee at Goldington Road on Friday October 10 in aid of NSPCC, which will be Skippy’s partnered charity for the year ahead.

The evening will be hosted by Bedford Blues former Club announcer Sam Roberts and will include a 4-course meal with guest speaker and former England international Gareth Chilcott.