EDF Cup Match Quarter Final Preview

Bedford Blues -v- Northampton Saints

Saturday, 23^rd February 2008

And so our thoughts turn once again away from the league battle to the EDF Cup.  If anyone thought we might have at least one easy draw in this competition, they were sorely mistaken.  Cornish Pirates had to beat some of the toughest opposition on their journey to the final last year against Exeter and so it has proved that Saints are facing an equally tough journey with our third cup game this season being played away from home, again.  It would appear that the "EDF Draw Gods" are ensuring that Allan Robson does not have to pay out on his promise to Pledge Season Ticket holders that they will be allowed to attend a cup match for free at Franklins Gardens. 

So far in this competition, Saints have despatched the cup holders, Cornish Pirates and the wannabe holders, Doncaster Knights and now face the 3^rd showdown this season with their local rivals, Bedford Blues, at Goldington Road.   The first encounter last September saw Saints squeak past the Blues at GR, 23 - 34.  The second encounter at FG at the beginning of the year was a more emphatic victory for the Saints with a scoreline of 35 - 9.  To be fair, Saints were just beginning to get into much more of a groove at this point with the coaches playing a slightly more settled side each week.

Bedford will be smarting a little following their defeat, at home, to the Cornish Pirates last weekend and will be looking to put this disappointment well behind them.   Saints  should have been moving into this game with a contented smile on their faces following their 10 - 41 victory over Esher last weekend.  However, their poor display in the first half of that match will have given them a great deal to consider and a great many points to prove to the coaches.

Unfortunately for Blues, Brendan Burke picked up a nasty ankle injury last weekend (out for possible 4 to 6 weeks) and Matt Volland has been ruled out for the rest of the season following surgery on a neck injury.  Saints are holding their collective breath after Alex Rae and Chris Ashton both took knocks last weekend and were substituted "as a precaution".  Hopefully, Carlos Spencer and James Downey will make a welcome return to the squad after their rest last weekend.

This game is an all ticket affair, so if you don't have your tickets by now contact Bedford Rugby Club http://www.bedfordrugby.co.uk/ .  There are still some standing tickets available.  With the weather set to be dry and, although not balmy, it's not exactly going to be freezing either.  Keep an eye on the conditions here http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=2693  to make sure you know which tog value of thermals you should be wearing for the day.

Personally, I have to visit my dentist down in Chesham, Buckinghamshire in the morning.  Let's hope I have plenty to smile about when 5 ‘o' clock arrives on Saturday evening.  I'd like to think we will be safely through to the semi-finals by this time but the longer we go unbeaten this season, the more nervous I become that we won't hold onto this excellent run.  And, yes, this cup competition does matter to me and I do want to go to Twickenham as, I am sure, thousands of other Saints supporters want to along with umpteen Saints players and coaches.

Oh, and a wee plea from me.  As I am going to the dentist and won't be able to arrive at Goldington Road until 2pm, can some kind soul take pity on me and let this wee, 5ft laideee have a space at the front?  Oh well, it was worth asking...........

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