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There are no easy games in the Champ so personally I would go full strength and hopefully look at making some changes early in the second half if possible.

I think there might be one easy game in the Champ and it’s home to Cambridge. They’ve lost every game by an average of 30 points. I would be giving starts to players who have barely featured and rests to some players who have played almost every minute as it’s a long campaign and everyone will need a rest and others might be called upon. I’d like to see something like;

15. Worth
14. Hutler/Hill (depending on Hutler injury)
13. Pasco
12. Booj
11.Hill/Adamson
10. Price
9. Lennon
8. Tuilagi
7. Hoskins
6. Sylvester
5. Woolford
4. Evans
3. Tonga’uiha
2. Herman
1. Conway/Scola (depending on Conway injury)

16. Fish
17. Jack
18. Heffernan
19. Benson/Appleby
20. Finch
21. Day
22. Maisey
23. James

That should still have enough quality/experience whilst also giving some players a rest. Ward in particular has played practically every minute and always seems to be carrying a knock. I don’t think we can afford to rest Heffernan entirely. Deano will possibly be chomping to play as will be eyeing up some tries.

I expect any easy win after Cambridge give it their all in the first 20. Good chance to give fringe players some game time as we could have injuries down the road and need them playing more regularly.

We must put out a strong team this weekend, this is a game we will win.

However Cambridge have shown they can score points even against stronger opposition, and Bedford tend to ease up against lower placed teams

This weekend we must win convincingly, 'points win prizes' and dare I say attempt to break records.....can Dean Adamson break his tries record this weekend?
COYB

Agree full strength 15 unless carrying knocks and injuries, then maybe take 5 or 6 off early in the second half if it’s going our way.
I think this game might be more difficult than we think.

To echo previous points, there are no easy games in the Champ, but Blues will have targeted 5 point at home v Camb, and anything less would no doubt be a disappointment.
That said, its a long season, and as well as some of the key members of the team have been playing, workloads need to be managed. If a home fixture v Camb is not the time to give the wider squad players a run, when is? Limiting opportunities for those players, and loading others, has the potential to bite the Blues in the ar$e later on; Experienced hands, season weary and carrying knocks, whilst some of the wider squad lack match fitness not having had a proper chance to step up and adapt to the Champ.....
A bonus point win is the key thing, and it almost doesn't matter how many Camb score, so long as Bedford are ahead come 80mins.
A full bore starting 15, get ahead, and bring on the squad lads at 50mins to see it out.... or a blend to start, with some heavy hitters to come on (earlier) if needed.....
An easy call in the bar post game, with 20/20 hindsight, but less so on the preceding Wednesday morning - Let's see what Mike R goes for...

Well its raining, infact it's forecast to continue to rain right through the weekend, thoughts of a high scoring game and a high attendance are disappearing rapidly, great shame I always look forward to Cambridge visiting a true rugby club who were promoted a couple of seasons ago.

Always a colourful crowd with many wearing their University scarves let's hope for a improvement in the weather.

Well I nailed the back line… Hopefully Cambridge don’t have a strong scrum. Any idea when Conway is back? Witheat is still on crutches so will be a while longer for him.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:12:05:11:52:45 by Bluesman23.

The right type of team for Cambridge

Bedford Blues Starting XV:

15. George Worth, 14. Joe Hill, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois (C), 12. Billy Pasco, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Tom Price, 9. James Lennon; 1. Joe Cowell, 2. James Fish, 3. Monty Royston, 4. Ilan Evans, 5. Rory Ward, 6. Archie Benson, 7. Nicholas Finch, 8. Tui Uru

Bedford Blues Replacements:

16. Tommy Herman, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Sonny Tonga’uiha, 19. Alex Woolford, 20. Fred Tuilagi, 21. Alex Day, 22. Will Maisey, 23. Ryan Hutler

Unavailable for selection this week:

Joey Conway, Archie Hosking, Rafe Witheat

I don’t mind the team but I would’ve had Heffernan on the bench as an insurance policy.

It will be good to see Price get a start and Pasco has looked good from the glimpses we have seen.

I could see a half time or close to prop change.

I will find out about Conway today.

Well the team selection nearly cost us but we had enough quality on the bench just about. You were right about the half time prop substitution. I would’ve subbed both of them at half time, neither of them are up to this level unfortunately. Tonga Jr made a big impact 2nd half and might actually be my MOTM. I’d have him on the bench next week if we can and Scola if we’re allowed him and Conway isn’t back. Also saw Witheat walking without crutches today which is a good sign.

Not sure many of the fringe players pushed their case this week. Pasco had some good moments, but could do with running a bit straighter. Hill didn’t get too many chances to get involved but didn’t do anything wrong.

Hate to call out individual players but both starting props weren’t of the required level for the championship. I think we thought it would be an easy match to rest a few players with Pirates (away) Worcester and Richmond coming up and played a “second team “. Slightly lucky to win in the end.

Well I suppose a win is a win however it comes, whether as a supporter its a win you want or like me to be entertained as well.

It didn't take long for Cambridge to realise that Bedford's starting line up were our second string and they certainly took advantage of the fact

The game was throughout a stop start event which was added to by the numerous Cambridge injuries.

I've always got on well with Cambridge supporters, but why do spectators seated in the stand have to stand to cheer their team on.... answers please, and thats not just today's game it happens in.

The other reports covered the details spot on enough said....

The Blues learned a lesson today which is do not underestimate the opposition......



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:12:07:07:55:23 by compo simonite.

Some player updates.

Conway is back training, whether a long bus ride having come back from a back injury is the right match to feature in maybe not.

Witheat is going to start some pool and gentle running so still a way off.

Hoskins did his hamstring playing for Rosslyn Park.

Totally agree with Tonga uiha, carried well and the scrum had more power. I really do wonder why we re-signed Royston and not try a new player.

This was a game for some players to shine, Price had an off day, Finch I expected more, Pasco did show some glimpses, Hill didn’t really get a chance with the ball. All new players, young, with little experience at this level.

Benson played well, although should’ve passed to Hill in the first half.

All we could do was get 5 points which we did. Cambridge getting 2 isn’t a disaster.

Appreciate the injury updates. Shame about Hoskins as Rugby Paper gave him MOTM in that game and every time he’s about to get a game for us he seems to pick up a knock.

I did hear a rumour during the summer that there was a chance Joe Howard could return mid season. I didn’t really believe it because we went and signed 2 7s, not sure where/if he’s playing at the moment but I think he is the exact type of player we’re missing at the moment.

Well it so nearly backfired, certainly out muscled up front in the first 40. Agree with TryBlues on certain players.
Cambridge deserved the 2 points, they had a couple of quality backs that had some good runs. Tough game coming up against Pirates 🏴‍☠️ Our starting 15 will look very different

I was told Howard said at the start of last season that if he was not picked up by the Premiership, he would go to Australia where his father is. I may have this wrong but I think he may have been in poor health.

Little doubt that Cambridge were worthy of their two points.

Credit to Bedford for their Christmas generosity in gifting Cambridge those two points. Having made the game safe on 77 minutes, had possession on 80 minutes, instead of getting the ball off the park and denying Cambridge anything, Bedford decided to run it. Cambridge had demonstrated their jackaling skills throughout the game and, sure enough, secured possession at the breakdown to then go forward to score, securing both try and losing bonus points.

I am sure that Bedford were disappointed that they had not dominated the game as much as the relative positions in the league suggested they might and wanted to show what they could do in the closing minutes. The thing about digging yourself out of one hole is then not to start digging another.

There were some decent tries and interplay from both teams to make the entrance fee worthwhile. The kick/chase involving Adamson was only inches away from being the try of the night.

A disappointment, perhaps, for Bedford fans that the difference in the score line was not greater but neutrals would say a fair reflection of the play.

Cambridge can take heart from, and hopefully, build on this performance to gain their first win of the season.