The young Gogs lost 39-17 earlier today to a strong Bedford Blues Academy outfit
The following report first appeared on the Bedford Blues web-site:
Bedford Blues Academy 39 pts: North Wales U18 17pts:
The Blues Academy continued their pre-season games with the second game against one of the Welsh RU funded Regional Academies. A long away trip to the Welsh valleys and a win against Gwent Dragons (17pts – 8) last week was followed by a home win (39pts – 17 ) against the North Wales Regional Academy, Rygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404 (RGC) this week.
Bedford started the game looking as if they had just had a 5 hour coach journey, not the visitors, and with a succession of errors, poor decision making and lack of concentration “gifted” the visitors two tries in the first 10 minutes. RGC kicked off, Bedford entered the ruck from the side, a penalty to RGC, a quick tap, missed tackles and RGC scored after 30 seconds.
Bedford levelled the scores two minutes later when good ball was won deep in the RGC 22; the ball was moved wide to the right for full back Aaron Morris to make ground, and slip the ball inside to scrum half Alex Smit to score. 10 minutes later the Blues gifted another try to RGC; a missed touch kick was returned with interest for a Blues lineout in the 22. Bedford won a quick lineout, moved the ball to kick for touch, the kick was charged down and RGC scored under posts and converted to go 12pts – 5 ahead.
Bedford narrowed the gap when a RGC lineout was stolen, the ball was moved wide again and Morris scored. Bedford began to settle and put together some effective play for three further tries: a lineout on the right was won for the back line to create space for centre Nathan Donnachee to score; a break from the blind side wing from Alex Griffith was carried on by prop Matt Collins who offloaded to Smit for his second try; and just before half time a good counter attack by Morris was taken on by flanker Shaq Meyers, Bedford won the ruck and flanker Danny Hartwell scored in the corner to put Bedford ahead by 25pts – 12 at half time.
Bedford played down the slope with the wind in the second half and extended their lead with a set move from a scrum with winger Mike DiPonio getting the touch down; centre Felix Streeton converted and the Blues were 32pts – 12 ahead.
The Blues discipline began to slip and a succession of penalties allowed RGC back into the game. An RGC try made the score 32pts - 17, before Bedford scored again. A great break was made by Smith who was tackled just short of the RGC line, but was able to offload to Streeton to score in the corner. Streeton converted and the Blues won by 39pts – 12.
Bedford’s Academy Director, Denis Ormesher, said …
“We made more mistakes in the first 15 minutes than you would want to see in a whole game. It looked like we had just got off the coach, not North Wales. Once we had got over that we put together some good phases of play and created some good opportunities, most of which we finished well.”
“Our two pre-season games against the Welsh Regional sides have been really valuable. We have been able to see how our new players have fitted in and they have given us a clear idea of what we need to work on over the coming weeks.”
“There are lots of positives, and lots of areas we need to work on, but we are pleased with the progress the squad have made over the summer.”
“We have some tough fixtures coming up with six games in September, four of them against U20 or U21 sides, one a Development XV game, where we will mix the Academy guys with 1st XV players, and only one at U19. Next week we travel away to play Moseley U20s.”
Bedford: George Stuffins, Ben Brownlie (capt), Matt Collins, Jack Warrior, Luke Carter, Danny Hartwell, Shaq Meyers, Jack Simpson; Alex Smit, Joe Tarrant; Mike DiPonio, Nathan Donnachie, Felix Streeton (capt), Alex Griffith; Aaron Morris: Subs: Alex Bloisi, Moses Osibanjo, Joe Foreman, Alex Ruck, Josh Lemon, Stefan Hughes-Brand, Michael Phillips, Stefan Noort, Michael Palladino:
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