Bedford Blues
Another Epic at Pirates?
By Blues Brother
March 19 2021
Let's hope that Sean McCarthy has better luck than Sarries when he leads out the Blues at the Mennaye Field on Sunday.
The opening day 25-17 win for Pirates got the truncated Championship season off to a tremendous start. Pirates followed that up with a 27-2 win at Richmond and as a result they're in joint top place wtih Trailfinders.
Games between Pirates and the Blues are traditionally high scoring affairs - this one should give us a better idea of what the Blues side of 2021 is capable of.
The starting XV will be unchanged . That's a rarity and you can see how the new squad performs on the live stream here (kick off 12.30).
On the bench Oli Curry returns from his three week ban.
Blues: 15. Rich Lane, 14. Josh Gillespie, 13. Elijah Niko, 12. Reuben Bird-Tulloch, 11. Matt Worley, 10. Will Maisey, 9. James Lennon; 1. Sean McCarthy (C), 2. James Fish, 3. Ed Prowse, 4. Lewis Bean, 5. Will Carrick Smith, 6. Ollie Newman, 7. Joe Atkinson, 8. Oli Robinson
Reps: 16. Jacob Fields, 17. Manny Iyogun, 18. Robin Hardwick, 19. Oli Curry, 20. Tui Uru, 21. Ewan Fenley, 22. Tommy Mathews, 23. Pat Tapley.
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19/03/2021 13:17
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Fifteen minute period where compounded our errors and Pirates were clinical - 2nd try was a gift and their third and fourth should have been made more difficult.
Turning point for me where game swung decisively was when 10-7 down with kickable penalty. Had Atkinson in the sin-bin seat (note to Pirates - excellent having an actual sin-bin seat) for just under 3 minutes more. Turned down the points and went for corner. Got turned over and they scored their third try within sin-bin period.
Also, seen some criticism of ref for sin-bin - disagree, it was a no arms charge into player for me. Would have been nice though if a couple of Pirates obstructions and (first half) blatant early scrum pushing had been penalised a little more.
Positives though in that we were far from overwhelmed and tbh, still feel 5-0 scoreline flattered Pirates (though they merited the win for territorial dominance in first half and very good counterrucking).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:03:21:17:36:27 by Ginger Blueboy.
Quote:Ginger Blueboy
(note to Pirates - excellent having an actual sin-bin seat)
It is a comfy yet humorous seat - Sponsored by Biffa and fabricated from a commercial wheely bin
Lots of offside not given throughout the game.
However, the best side won. Good performance from the blues despite the officials, but we were second best.
How they also got away with no yellow card when we had them under pressure in the 22 and the gave away several penalties I do not know.
The game was closer than the score line and if we had taken a couple of our chance like Fenley dropping the ball it would have been closer.
It was pleasing that the scrum held up relatively well against a team that destroyed Saracens upfront, especially considering the injuries and the very young age of the props.
Best team won but a bonus point would have been deserved.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:03:24:22:22:35 by TryBlues.
Glass half full.👍
