1st XV News

Bedford Blues have named their 22-man squad to face Jersey Reds under the Friday Night Lights at Goldington Road in the Greene King IPA Championship.

Bedford's last outing in the league was against Bristol a fortnight ago. Despite a superb display, Mike Rayer's men were defeated 18-13 at a packed Ashton Gate and in front of the Sky cameras.

Games against Jersey are always exciting affairs and few will have forgotten the 39-37 Boxing Day victory in 2016 when the Blues came from behind to win deep in stoppage time thanks to a converted George Perkins try.

Friday night lights return to Goldington Road this Friday 9th February with an added Beer Festival in the Blues Marquee as Mike Rayer’s men prepare to face Jersey Reds (Kick Off 7:45pm).

Following narrow defeat against Bristol at Ashton Gate last time out, the Blues will be hoping to bounce straight back against the Islanders, who haven’t lost in the Championship since November but still lie two places and seven points behind Bedford.

Tickets for the much anticipated British & Irish Cup Quarter Final against Ulster at Goldington Road on Saturday 31st March are now on sale online!

Eagle Stand Season Ticket holders will have a two-week priority window to reserve their allocated seat for the match; please either call the Club, pop in or email season@bedfordrugby.co.uk with your name, ST card number and daytime contact number. The deadline for reservations is Monday 12th February.

Ground Season Ticket holders and all other supporters are able to buy discounted tickets online, saving £4 per adult, by clicking here.  

It was certainly a case of what might have been at Ashton Gate on Sunday afternoon as Bedford Blues fought valiantly against table-topping Bristol but came away just short losing 18-13.

Ignoring the scoreline, the Blues found plenty of chinks in the Bristol armour and had the hosts on the ropes for a huge chunk of the game. Bedford’s pack deserve a huge amount of credit for disrupting scrum after scrum with Ben Cooper, Tom Lindsay and Sean McCarthy proving the proverbial pains in the backsides.

Bedford Blues face one of their biggest challenges of the Championship campaign as they make the trip to Ashton Gate to face Bristol in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Sunday afternoon.

While Bedford are one of very few Championship teams to have defeated Bristol at Ashton Gate, Pat Lam's men are in sparkling form this season having won every single league game and head into the game as firm favourites.

But if there is one thing that the Blues love, it's a mountain to climb, and they'll be doing all they can to upset the odds and maintain their own winning star to 2018.