Rugby union: Bedford Blues 34 Blackheath 24
BY GRAHAM COX
Little surprise, perhaps, that the step up in quality of opposition produced easily the best Blackheath performance of the pre-season programme to date, and if the Club couldn’t quite match the electric pace of the Championship side, they fronted up admirably in just about every other department.
Bedford’s off-loading game was exceptional, frequently catching Blackheath on the break, and with a bit more fine-tuning (this was the Blues’ first outing of the season) may well have resulted in more than the six tries the hosts scored.
Nevertheless, the Club’s defensive cover was often effective and although the Blues had the better of the scrum, the visitors’ set-piece, particularly the lineout, gave them enough of a platform to remain competitive throughout.
Bedford served notice of their attacking ability on nine minutes with a lightning break on the left flank to send centre Lucas Titherington across, but Blackheath responded as their pressure forced penalties, and Noah Sloot peeled blind off a lineout maul.
It took 30 minutes for Blackheath to concede their first penalty but, as they did, Bedford mounted pressure for wing Pat Tapley to cross off scrum ball, hooker Tommy Herman then drove over off a lineout for a 15-7 interval lead for the hosts.
The game continued at pace after the restart with some long phases of open play, but on 58 minutes a break through the midfield saw back-row Reuben Logan cross for the Blues.
Tom Ffitch’s long pass found Jake Lloyd with just enough space to dive across in the right corner in reply, but Logan’s second try kept Bedford firmly in front on the scoreboard.
Matt Armstrong replaced Lloyd to add Club’s third try, also in the corner, but Bedford’s immediate response was an outstanding score, with lightning pace and brilliant passing for scrum-half James Lennon to speed over, delighting a Goldington Road crowd in excess of 1,500.
Equally impressive, however, was the lineout drive that resulted in Alex Witchell touching down at the base of a maul, giving Blackheath the final word.
Blackheath now look forward to a trip to Canterbury for another evening match next Friday for their final dress-rehearsal, before they welcome Richmond to The Utilita for their opening National League One encounter on September 7.
PICTURES: CLAIRE JONES