Bedford Badge

By Clive Tugwell
March 3 2013

Bristol produced an excellent display as they inflicted a 6 - 18 defeat on Bedford.  Bristol had won the last three meetings between the two sides and never looke like ending this run in a performance that restricted the hosts to just a couple of chances and could easily have been rewarded by another two tries. 

Presumably Bristol won the toss and chose to play up the infamous Goldington Road Slope.  But it proved no real handicap in a high intensity start.  An early long range penalty chance to Adrian Jarvis was well off target.  Bedford did well from the restart in a sweeping move, but the Bristol defence stood firm throughout the game and coped well here.  Bristol struck back and well taken lineout (again effective all afternoon) followed by a good catch and drive forced the hosts into giving away a penalty.  Jarvis sent the ball over for the first points of the day.

Bedford tried to hit back and a neat chip and chase put Jack Tovey under pressure in the in-goal area and Bedford had a five metre scrum.  The Bristol pack withstood the pressure well and were rewarded when Bedford gave away a penalty that relieved the pressure.  Bristol took heed of the warning and worked away at the Bedford defence with tremendous determination, harrying it so much that they had no time on the ball or space in which to act.  This concerted pressure got its due   The impressive Fautua Otto spiralled out a long pass to the supporting Mitch Eadie.  The No. 8 popped the ball on to the ever-present Luke Eves who smashed over in the corner for an unconverted try, 0 – 8 to the visitors.

The lively Ruki Tipuna came close with a typical dart and a clever grubber kick behind the defence,  Sadly the defence just managed to scramble the ball into touch.  Bedford were really struggling and the tenacious Bristol defence meant that their much vaunted attacking play was error strewn and lacking in precision.  And with half time approaching, another good Bristol Lineout led to a chance for Jarvis who made the score 0 – 11 just before the whistle.

A well-deserved half time lead, but Bedford are known for strong second half performances.  Would that be true today?  It looked as if a recovery might be on the cards when perennial Pritchard struck a penalty.  But it came after ten minutes of play and was the hosts’ first go at the posts and there had been no real pressure on the Bristol line.  Bedford hopes were dealt a crushing blow soon after.  A great move from Bristol saw the ball swiftly through the hands of Otto and Tovey , fashioning space for the hard-working Ryan Edwards who sprinted over for a converted try and a commanding  3 – 18 lead.

In an all to familiar fashion, Bristol promptly gave away a soft penalty to allow Pritchard to again give his side a glimmer of hope.  However this lapse in concentration proved short-lived as Bristol returned to the uncompromising play that had served so well before.    Another superb lineout freed up Otto who raced away through a misaligned defence.  He looked certain to score but somehow the defence managed to hold him up.  Bedford knew  time was running out and managed to force their way uphill into the Bristol half.  Here the support ran out and a penalty for holding on inevitably followed.  It was Bedford’s last meaningful effort  and they went down to a 6 – 18 defeat, only their second loss at home of the season.