Jersey RFC vs Bedford Blues. Bedford Preview

Bedford Blues Rugby Club

Founded: 1876

Home Ground: Goldington Road

Director of Rugby: Mike Rayer

Club Captain: James Prichard

Last Season: Third, play-off Runners Up,

Semi Finals British and Irish Cup

 

2012/13:

Last season Bedford was one of the shining lights in the division, finishing third in the regular season, as well as making the semi finals of the British and Irish Cup. With three of the top six in the try scorers chart, their final tally of 78 was only two tries fewer and 13 points less than the run-away winners Newcastle Falcons. Bedford made the play-off final despite not having any aspirations of promotion due to the financial implications that go with progression to the Aviva Premiership. Having despatched Nottingham home and away in the semi final, they fell to a 9-18 home defeat to the Falcons which put paid to any realistic challenge. A 31-24 loss at Kingston Park meant that Newcastle was promoted at the first time of asking. Bedford are the only side in the Championship still maintaining their amateur status, and do not wish to progress any further. Chairman Geoff Irvine stating that the financial gap is too vast for a club like theirs to bridge; ‘If Bedford were promoted to the Premiership, I would have to sack half the squad because the gap between the divisions is so big’.

2013/14:

Pre-season Bedford succumbed to a strong Saracens side, a ten try 71-12 thumping, this following on from a 45-21 home defeat to Northampton, notable for a bone-crunching tackle by Courtney Lawes on former Jersey favourite Michael Le Bougeois. Bedfords opening match this season began with a defeat in a bad tempered match against relegated London Welsh. A player sin binned in the second minute, then followed a red for both sides in a feisty first half that saw the Blues trail 0-13 at the break. The Blues with sub Le Bougeois on rallied but eventually fell to a 23-14 defeat. Expect to see a smattering of duel-registered Saracens players turning out for the Blues today. Hooker Charlie Clare and Fly-half Michael Le Bougeois both turned out for Jersey last season, and both will be looking to put one over on their old club.

Any previous:

The first competitive match between the two was in Jersey last season. It was the first game that the home faithful began to believe that Jersey could compete after two disappointing home defeats. After going down 19-29, the Bedford boss Mike Rayer slammed his team for a capitulation in the second half and said that Jersey deserved to win, and would have done had the game lasted five more minutes. With tries from Glenn Bryce, Nathan Hannay and Ed Dawson in the bag, Jersey turned down a kick for a bonus point, instead they pushed for a fourth try that would have yielded two, but came away with nothing except belief. In the second game up at Goldington Road, Jersey went down 38-21. Behind 14-9 at half time, mistakes cost Jersey dear and despite tries by Nicky Griffiths and a late score by Guy Thompson, Jersey were punished by the kicking of James Prichard and left still searching for an elusive away win.

After the opening day defeat to Plymouth Albion, Jersey will be looking to get a home win sooner than the four attempts it took last season. If Jersey can bring their first half performance from that match, and leave the second half capitulation behind, there is belief that Bedford can be attacked on the set piece and weaknesses highlighted by Welsh still give cause for optimism. Not finishing lower than third in the regular season in the last three seasons, Bedford provide a huge test in what will be a very difficult match.

 

 

Ones to watch:

 

Name: James Pritchard

DoB: 21/07/1979

Position: Fullback

Height: 1.76m

Weight: 83kg 

Australian-born James Pritchard is Bedford Blues club captain and has been one of their most consistent stars in recent seasons regularly topping the clubs points table. In his second spell at the club, he has amassed over 2000 points for the Blues. His kicking ability and eye for the try line has also recently seen him become Canada’s all-time top point scorer. The 34 year old full back has previously turned out for Plymouth, Perpignan and Northampton. With three player of the year awards in his time, given the chance he will punish any Jersey indiscipline.

 

Name: Neville Edwards

DoB: 22/11/1987

Position: Wing

Height: 1.69m

Weight: 84kg

 

Edwards signed for the Blues in the summer following three extremely impressive seasons with Rosslyn Park where he was described as an ‘explosive force’. Having turned out for the English Counties side, his try-scoring ability was highlighted with 17 last season in National One last term. Edwards scored a brace in the pre-season fixture against Saracens and then crossed the whitewash against London Welsh in their defeat last weekend.

 

Name: Charlie Clare

DoB: 16/12/1991

Position: Hooker

Height: 1.82m

Weight: 112kg

After coming through the Leicester Academy, Clare swapped Welford Road for Goldington Road in the summer and has already shown what a talented youngster he is, especially with his lineout throws. Having turned out for England under 16’s he is one with a very bright future. No stranger to the home faithful having spent several months and eight appearances with Jersey last season, Clare was already well adapted to the Championship ahead of his move to the Blues.

 

Name: Ben Gulliver

DoB: 13/06/1981

Position: Second Row

Height: 1.96m

Weight: 109kg

 

Gulliver picked up the coveted Player’s Player of the Season Award following an impressive first year with the Blues last season. The second rower was a sensation during his time with the Cornish Pirates which led him to the Premiership with Worcester. Six feet five and 17 stone, he has a huge impact at the lineout. Vastly experienced and influential, he has continued to have a huge impact on all parts of the field for the Blues.