Bedford Athletic Rugby Club

The victory brought to an end a losing sequence of five games the last three of which had been lost by either two or three points and provided the club with a timely boost going into the Christmas break.

It was a game of contrasting styles as the home side looked to spread the ball wide and their visitors attempted a close driving and mauling game. The surprisingly firm conditions underfoot aided the Bedford Athletic strategy and they dominated large periods of the first half. They went behind to a penalty on 20 minutes but replied with a stunning try five minutes later. James Mortimer started the move from his own 22 and it was carried on by Alex Peck and Simon Lincoln before man of the match Ben Johnson burst into the line to carry play into the visitors half. Martin Wolfenden made further inroads before Bedford Athletic were awarded a penalty which they kicked to touch. Having won the line out Mortimer launched Alex Peck through the midfield and Billy Mills was on hand to take the scoring pass for the try. Mortimer missed the conversion and before the end of the half Paviors kicked another penalty to take a slightly undeserved 6-5 lead at the break.

The play was even in the second half with the difference being James Mortimer’s penalty on 55 minutes. In addition to that both sides missed a further two penalties each but try scoring opportunities were at a premium. On his return to the side David Rowling led the forward effort and Mortimer, Peck, Lincoln and Johnson provided the midfield threat. However no further scores came although the home side did survive a frantic finish to take the points.

Bedford Athletic are next in action when they travel to second place Kettering on 7th January.