BATTLING PERFORMANCE IN HOME DEFEAT

Conditions were good, perfect for some running rugby, which both teams tried to provide whenever possible.
Bourne kicked off and chased down the ball putting pressure on the Bedford forwards, Bonham was there first and aided by Douglas they slowed the ball down causing Bedford to kick the ball away, this was fielded well by Smith at fullback and he ran back at the opposition to win a penalty. Dixon kicked for touch to give a lineout 10m out. Unfortunately this was not straight giving Bedford a scrum which they won and cleared their line. Bourne maintained the pressure and when a scrum was called just past halfway, the new front row partnership of Wood, Appleby and Sleight dug in and won a penalty for the home team. Binns stepped up to attempt a difficult kick from 45m out, which had the distance but was just wide, a good start for Bourne.
Bedford were kicking the ball at every opportunity but both wings Jordan-Bonney and Ross were fielding well and running back at the opposition, unfortunately Bourne got penalised for holding on at the breakdown and Bedford kicked from 40m out 0-3 after 12 mins. A scrum was awarded from the kick off and Bedford applied pressure this time to turn the ball over a break from the scrum half was followed by a forward pass on the 22m , but the referee did not call it back and their centre scored a converted try under the posts. 0-10.
A good chase from Rossi from the restart resulted in the ball being kicked on with Dixon diving on the ball to secure it, support from the forwards was there and the ball was put through the hands by Binns, Berry and Smith, again Bourne recycled with continued phases of playing, ending when Binns kicked on for Rossi on the wing, unfortunately the kick was just too strong and Bedford ran the ball into touch 10m out. Bourne was unable to capitalise but good pressure had been put on the Bedford line.

The forwards again showed their capabilities when on half way pressure was applied and Brown caught the No8 napping to turn over the ball, secured by the forwards the backs went on a run, but then kicked the ball away which due to the amount of possession they were having was treally not to their advantage.

Bedford then took a lineout against the head and their big 2nd row drove in to score again under the posts. 0-17. Rugby tennis then pursued for a while with both teams fielding the ball well, Thornburn caught one and after making a few yards fed Rossi , who ran a good 50m through the opposition but again was bundled into touch.

Bourne continued to move the ball about, Hume and Cooke combined to take a forwards drive down the wing, Sleight and Appleby tried to carry the move forward but were unfortunately too ambition in the end and got turned over, however Bedford only cleared to the 22. It was a Bourne lineout and an accurate thrown to the front to Hume released off the top gave quick ball.

The backs did a training ground move with Dixon, Binns and Berry combining and then passing to Rossi who had come in off his wing to score under the posts. Binns converted 7-17.

From the resulting kick off which did not go 10m Bourne were penalised and Bedford kicked for goal making the half time score 7-20.
Bourne made a change in the pack at half time with Mabey coming on in the front row . He showed his ddetermination when at the first scrum the opposition were destroyed on their own ball and conceded a penalty. Bourne continued to pressure the opposition and Smith had a good run from full back, phases of rugby were being played with all forwards protecting the ball and keeping it alive.

When the opposition did get the ball Bonham was being a persistent pain in their side, sniping at everything possible. Dixon received a Yellow card for a tackle after a penalty, but the 14 men held their own for the 10 minutes and even forced a 5m scrum.
Bedford did score again with the last move of the game, despite some attempted tackles by Cooke and Dixon their off loads were too good this time and they scored under the posts. Final score 7-27.