MK WOLVES 24-40BEDFORD TIGERS

The Tigers chalk up their first win of the season in a scrappy, and physical affair!

The Tigers hit back from their opening day defeat with a 40 piont victory over a spirited MK Wolves side.

After slipping up last week to new side North Herts Crusaders the Tigers made sure that they didn't make the same mistake twice by running in 7 tries against the leagues other new boys MK Wolves.

However it was the Wolves who would make the better start with Tigers old boy Scott Aspinall sidestepping his way through the defensive line to race away and set up the first try of the game for the home side.

This only seemed to spur the Tigers on more though and Craig Walker showed great awareness in his new role at hooker to respond straight away. Rob Ashton added to extra 2 points to give the Tigers the lead at 4-6. Wlaker then went on to score a second 5 minutes later in similar fashion to his first and the Tigers began to build some momentum. A sweeping backs move set up winger Luke Donaldson to race in for the Tigers third and Kev Scales was on hand to collect a Lee Walker kick to touch down for the Tigers fourth!

The game was far from free flowing though and at times seemed to be a battle of the forwards with big runs and tackles flying in from both sides. The Wolves managed to claw back a converted try but the Tigers had the final say of the half when Sam Richbell powered over for his first of the day. Ashton slotted all five first half conversions to give the Tigers a 10-30 half time lead.

The Tigers started the second half as MK started the first. Sam Richbell capitalised on some decent field position to score his second out wide. The Wolves then began to turn the screw and showed some real fight by clocking up a three try haul in an error striken second half, which reduced the difference to 12 points.

The moment of the game came after Rich Harris stole the ball against the head at the scrum and Sam Richbell took advantage of some tired defending to charge away to complete his hattrick and equal the Tigers all time try scoring record of 31 which Richy Sinclair has held as his own for years.

The Tigers will take a lot of heart from the victory considering the week they've had and will now start to build on it for the Wolves return fixture next Saturday at Putnoe Woods.

Kick off 14.30

Tries: Sam Richbell (3) Craig Walker (2) Luke Donaldson, Kev Scales
Goals: Ashton (6)
Squad: Wilson, C Walker, Moilerno, Murphy, D Pickard, Ashton, Richbell, Walker, Scales, Stanfield, Donaldson, T Stafford, Cliff, L Pickard, Pecorini, Tripkovic, Harris, Carter, Bolton, Foskett

"Mayhem" Matt Wilson uses his golden touch to hands off the Wolves defence