1st XV News

Bedford Blues will be making the long journey down to Penzance this weekend as they take on the Cornish Pirates in the final round of the Greene King IPA Championship.

While neither team made it into the top four this season, there will still be plenty to play for on the field as Bedford look to respond to the opening day defeat handed out to them by the Pirates at Goldington Road.

Bedford Blues are delighted to announce that three more members of the current squad have put pen to paper on brand new deals which will keep them at Goldington Road for the 2017/18 season.

Prop Camillo Parilli-Ocampo along with back row stars Josh Buggea and Ed Taylor have all committed to the Blues for another campaign as Bedford look to put together an experienced squad who will push for top honours next season.

Speaking about the re-signings, Director of Rugby Mike Rayer said: "To be able to have three young, talented players back in the squad next season is a real pleasure and I'm sure that the fans will be just as delighted.

Bedford Blues Ltd will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 3rd May 2017 in the Scrum Hall at Goldington Road (8pm start). The meeting is strictly Shareholders only, by invitation.

The formal documentation will be sent to shareholders who requested either email copies or postal following last year’s AGM. Please expect to receive this by Wednesday 12th April 2017.

Bedford Blues have added a second international to their back line with the capture of Welsh winger Chris Czekaj for the 2017/18 Championship season.

Much like Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer, Czekaj, 31, began playing rugby for his home town club Llandaff and then went on make over 130 appearances for the Cardiff Blues.

The Club is very sad to announce that former player and captain, David Perry, has passed away at the age of 79.

David, a talismanic No.8, made 101 appearances for Bedford between 1962-66 and was captain in 1962-63 and 1965-66. He scored 115 points for the town, including 37 tries and two conversions.

Winning a Cambridge Blue in 1958, Perry went on to join Bedford from Harlequins before gaining 15 England International caps between 1963-66. He made 13 appearances at No.8 and two in the second row for his country as well as captaining England in all four games in the Five Nations Championship in 1965.