Bedford Blues have been in the second tier of English rugby since promotion from National 1 in the 2008/09 season. Since then, they have recorded two impressive second-placed finishes, three third-placed finishes, two fourth-placed finishes and four finishes below seventh in the Greene King IPA Championship table.
The Green and Whites only met Bedford once last season due to the postponement of the league, but it was and impressive display from Fowkes’ men. Nottingham were 19-0 ahead after just 20 minutes thanks to a try each from Sean Scanlon and Jack Spittle, one of which was converted by Shane O’Leary. On the 20th minute the Green and Whites were awarded a penalty try.
Bedford dug in after that, and managed to bring the score back to 19-14 just under 15 minutes later – but it was Fowkes’ men who kicked on in the second half to record ten more points to seal the game.
Bedford finished two places below Nottingham with a final points tally of 46.36 (PPG ratio).
The Blues recently announced the signing of young Irish prop Corrie Barrett ahead of the 2021 Championship season.
The 22-year-old prop – equally adept at loosehead or tighthead – crosses the Irish Sea boasting a rich rugby heritage having followed in the footsteps of his father, Brian who was an Ireland U21s international.
This signing follows the retirement of tighthead prop Alex Penny from rugby with immediate effect.
We will face Bedford in our final home fixture of the season, during the weekend commencing 22nd May.