Rugby Union: Bristol Rugby 45 Bedford Blues 27 - losing start continues at ...

BRISTOL RUGBY 45 BEDFORD BLUES 27

Bedford failed to spoil Bristol’s celebrations as the Blues slipped to their fourth defeat on the bounce in the Greene King IPA Championship while their hosts reclaimed third place in the table as they out-scored the visitors seven tries to four.

Bristol were celebrating exactly 125 years since its formation in a season which will also be their last at the Memorial Stadium – their home since 1921 – as they are moving across to Ashton Gate to share with Bristol City.

The hosts had made six changes and the visitors seven with Richard Barrington, the former Gloucester and Jersey loosehead prop, making his Blues debut after an emergency loan agreement from Saracens.

The home side dominated the early play but spilled the ball and unforced errors meant that they were unable to turn possession and territorial advantage into points until a penalty scrum in front of the posts saw the ball spread wide.

When it was recycled prop James Hall went over from close range and fly-half Tristan Roberts added the extras. The home side backed that up as they mounted an attack from deep in their own half with centre Bryan Rennie getting the final touchdown.

The Blues looked disorganised as they attempted to break out of their own half but, just after the half hour, wing George Watkins crossed for two quick tries to bring up the bonus point with Roberts converting the second.

With less than five minutes of the half remaining Bedford turned down the opportunity of an easy three points. After a couple of phases of play a missed tackle led to centre Sam Stanley crossing the line with James Pritchard converting.

It may not have been champagne rugby from Bristol but they went into the break 24-7 ahead. Bedford came out of the blocks with a clear intent to claw their way back into the game and Pritchard landed an early penalty.

Bristol were penalised as their lineout came under pressure and from the scrum No.8 Don Barrell picked up at the base to barge his way over the line.

But Bristol came back as wing Ryan Edwards went for the line and Roberts added the conversion.

Bedford weren’t going to give up and a driving maul led to prop Phil Boulton scoring, converted by Pritchard, but Bristol kept battering the Blues line with Edwards crossing for his second which was converted by replaced fly-half Nicky Robinson.

With two hookers in the Bristol front row, the game went into uncontested scrums for the final 12 minutes and, slightly belatedly, they had to sacrifice flanker Nick Köster as they were required to go down to 14 men.

Bristol looked to close the game down and replacement flanker Mitch Eadie crossed for their seventh try converted by Robinson.

Bedford salvaged a much needed try scoring bonus point as inside centre Mark Atkinson burst over the line with the final play, but they remain towards the foot of the table.

Bristol (home v Bedford Blues, 3pm): A D’Arcy; G Watkins, B Rennie (A Short, 60), B Mosses, R Edwards; T Roberts (N Robinson, 52), R Tipuna Callum Braley, 79); Mark Lilley (R Lawrence, 66), O Hayes, J Hall (J Hobson, 59-64), B Skirving (G Townson, 52), M Sorenson (capt), N Köster, J Merriman (M Eadie, 73) M Mama.

Scorers – tries J Hall, B Rennie, G Watkins 2, R Edwards 2; cons: T Roberts 3; N Robinson 2; pen: T Roberts.

Bedford Blues: J Pritchard (capt); C Hircock (M Le Bourgeois, 61), S Stanley, M Atkinson, N Edwards; J Sharp, D Veenendaal (L Baldwin, 50); R Barrington (D Fearn, 56), S Spurling (C Clare, 50), P Boulton (B Cooper, 56), M Howard, P Tupai (B Gulliver, 56), T Armes (J Vandermolen, 56) D Fox, D Barrell (T Armes, 79).

Scorers – tries: S Stanley, D Barrell, P Boulton, M Atkinson; con: J Pritchard 2; pen: J Pritchard

Referee: T Wigglesworth (RFU)

Att: 4, 817

Article source: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/10578514.RUGBY_LEAGUE__Oxford_blown_away_by_Hornets__sting_in_the_tail/

Rugby Union: Bristol Rugby 45 Bedford Blues 27 - losing start continues at ...