Match Preview

Bedford

v

Exeter Chiefs

Saturday January 19th

by - Exeforever

There is something a little bit different and special about games between Exe and Bedford; it would be wrong to call them “grudge” matches but there is always an additional frisson of anticipation as 3pm approaches at Goldington Road.  Recent history between the clubs has thrown up some unusual and interesting scenarios: the 13 all draw in the Cup with Exe going through as the away side, the appearance of Tom Varndell (notionally on loan from Leicester) last season and his early try which necessitated him being double manned for the rest of the game and the drop goal in the 99^th minute of added time which deprived Exe of a Twickenham appearance; none of these being the “typical” fare of a Division One match.

Bedford announced at the end of last season that they would be operating on a restricted budget this year and, indeed, their performances have been below their normal very high standards of previous seasons - they have currently won 7 games less than Exe this term.  The game at Sandy Park in September saw an unbeaten Exe go into the game second by only one point to Northampton and with most supporters expecting another bonus point performance; with 70 minutes gone and 3 tries scored (Josh, Sam and Dan Parkes) the majority of the supporters were indeed anticipating the 4^th.  In the end stubborn Bedford resistance kept Exe out and the game ended with a rather disappointing 27-6 scoreline and a dropped bonus point.

Last season’s away game at Bedford was memorable for a cloudburst of the greatest possible intensity late in the first half and for Varndell’s try, Exe lost 22-10 for the record and the side included Tom Bedford on the left wing and Stephen Ward at inside centre.

Given the relative positions of the two sides you would expect a comfortable win for Exe but Bedford are a proud side and, whilst far from being a local derby, there is, as I have suggested above, something special about Bedford v Exeter games which makes league positions irrelevant.

I predict a bonus point win for Exe but don’t be surprised if the result is close in a high scoring game.

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