1st XV News

Sunday proved to be another frustrating afternoon for the Bedford Blues players and coaches as a late Matt Jarvis penalty secured the win for Nottingham at Meadow Lane.

Bedford got off to the best possible start when Paul Tupai bundled over from close range but when Joe Munro charged down Brendan Burke's attempted clearance kick to score a couple of minutes later to score, it was always going to be one of those afternoon's.

James Pritchard converted two penalties and Jarvis replied with one of his own to make it 10-11 before Nick Fenton-Wells rounded off a good forwards try with the skipper adding the extras at the interval.

Bedford Blues limped to their fifth defeat of the season at Nottingham this afternoon as late penalty earned the Green & Whites a last-gasp 26-24 victory.

Poor decision-making and infringements once again cost the Blues as they let victory slip through their fingers at Meadow Lane.

With neither side firing on all cylinders, neither eighth placed Bedford or 11th placed Nottingham achieved any sustained periods of ascendancy during the 80 minutes.

For the Blues it was an afternoon of prolonged malfunction as both of the hosts’ tries came from Blues mistakes, while all of Matt Jarvis’ penalties seemed to stem from players needlessly infringing.

Bedford Blues annual fireworks display went off with an extra special sparkle this year as thousands of people walked through the Goldington Road gates for an evening they won't forget in a hurry.

Despite a miserable weather forecast, nothing could dampen the spirits as young and old came together to enjoy a true spectacular - and all for just £5. It was without a doubt, one of the finest displays that the club has ever seen.

The club would like to thank everyone who was involved in the organisation of the event along with the thousands of revellers who turned out to enjoy the occasion.

You've seen it in the programme, now we are bringing it to the website! Head to head this week comes courtesy of two of the Blues most talkative players who never fail to deliver. Luke Baldwin is enjoying another season slugging it out with Darryl Veenendaal for the number nine shirt while Mark Atkinson continues his impressive run of form whether it is at centre or fullback. Enjoy.

He-Man cartoon producer Lou Scheimer died this week but if you had to compare yourself to a cartoon character which would it be and why? What about one of your teammates?

LB: I’d have to go for Popeye because he loves spinach and has big arms, just like me.

After pulling on the Blues number seven shirt for the first time in almost a year, Sacha Harding's week got even better when he was invited to player for the Barbarians against the Combined Services in Plymouth next month.

Harding, 30, who suffered a dislocation and break of his ankle during the Championship fixture aganist Leeds on December 2 last year, has been through a long rehabilitation process and completed 50 minutes against Ealing Trailfinders on Sunday afternoon before being replaced by Tom Armes.