Nearly there for the first team

Bedford Swifts 1st team travelled to Deepings for their next match. With 3 games and 3 loses they were in need of a good performance today. The home team had their former players lunch, so there was a good crowd to watch the match. Also in attendance was Director of Rugby Josh Buggea and his presence was a welcome addition to match preparations and to have him see how Swifts performed on match days.

The game started with some good play from both sides. Deepings had some early pressure, and their game plan was evident from the off, utilising the box kick to put pressure on swifts. Deepings scored first out wide when their marauding front row powered over some weak defence from the swifts pack.

Swifts were in need of a response and it came, but not as they had wanted. They spent around 15-20 minutes in the opposition half, with around about 10 minutes of that in the 22. But, this pressure only amounted to 3 points.

Deepings scored agin, and the conversion sailed over.

The second half finished with more Swifts pressure, but again this was not converted into points.

Half time Deepings 14 - 3 Swifts

In the second half Deepings turned up the pressure. They used their first phase play well and some missed tackles from the Swifts allowed them to score a try. This wasn't converted which still kept Swifts in the game.

Deepings used their powerful prop once again the score a break away try. Conversion missed. 19 - 3.

Swifts rallied, and Gareth Tindall took the game forward by making some decisive carries with the ball. Carl Payne made some key breaks but was caught by their equally fast winger to stop a certain try. Swifts continued with the good spell of pressure and returning flanker Rob Rowland popped up after multiple tap penalties to power through the Deepings line to score. Conversion scored to make it 19-10.

Swifts dipped once again to allow the powerful prop over the line, however the touch judging from the Deepings played left a lot to be desired. The resulting conversion was missed making it 24-10.

Swifts once again ramped up the pressure with James Harley, Solomon Sohota and Rob Rowland taking the ball forward well. The ball ended up in the middle of the park and Ashley Mattin spun the ball out wide for Andrew 'Sherlock' Stocks to ghost over the line. Conversion scored to make it 24-17. Swifts were in ascension, but they couldn't force the play for the next try and the match ended 24-17 to Deepings.

Although the score does not reflect the Swifts performance, they played as a unit at times. Other times went begging through poor hands and poor decision making. But with Director of Rugby Josh Buggea in attendance, he could see how Swifts played on match day. He summed up the game by saying that the basics weren't completed well, which is a staple for every club. He also added that Swifts needed to be critical of their performance. At times, Swifts were the dominant force, at others, careless mistakes cost the team valuable points. It's these situations which will be worked on at training. Commitment to these sessions is a must.

Next week, swifts host Birmingham Exiles who will prove a stern test for the lads, but with home advantage and each game getting better, Swifts are due a consistent performance which they are more than capable of.