Bedford Give Archers The Blues

It was a tough outing for Nottingham Rugby, in the Championship, this past weekend, as they very much suffered the Bedford Blues, despite taking an early lead when on the road.

Away at Bedford, Nottingham led as early as the seventh minute when Ellis Mee crossed for a five point lead, from then on though, it was all about the hosts, they running in three tries in quick succession, through James Fish, Henry Pollock, Sean French, and William Maisey, to open up a 28-5 lead as the game headed towards the interval.

Relief for Craig Hammond’s Archers though came when David Williams crossing having won a high ball from a Morgan Bunting kick-off, the latter kicking the extra to cut the advantage to 28-12, however, the Blues quickly added a fourth try, via Pollock’s second of the game, just before the interval to go in 35-12 to the good.

Both sides exchanged early in the second, first Bedford crossed, French with his second of the game, then on 51 minutes the Archers bagged a penalty try, by which stage they were already lagging by some 23 points.

Flanker James Cherry, who had not long since replaced Sam Green for the Archers, added a third try for the visitors, but the hosts would go on to add a seventh in the closing minutes, via Louis Grimoldby, with Maisey converting all with the boot, as they ran out somewhat comfortable, 49-24 winners.

Nottingham remain in third in the table and will look to regain some momentum to head into the New Year with, when they travel to Coventry on Boxing Day (26 December).

NOTTINGHAM STARTING XV –  Kai Owen, Harry Clayton, Xavier Valentine, Sebastian Ferreira, Come Joussain, Iosefa Maloney-Fiaola, James Cherry, Scott Hall, Michael Stronge, Morgan Bunting, Ryan Olowofela, Joseph Woodward, Marcus Ramage, David Williams, Ellis Mee

There was plenty of action played out lower down the rugby pyramid also, numerous Notts clubs taking to the field  with all four doing so on the Regional 2 Midlands (N), three of the four there being successful, Mellish narrowly losing 31-27 at home to Matlock to remain in tenth.

Mid-table Newark, the enjoyed a 42-27 success at home to Melbourne, whilst there was also victory, on the road, for both Paviors and West Bridgford.

Pavs picked up a 17-7 success in the Black Country, victory over Wolverhampton seeing them within five points of second placed Lichfield, whilst Bridgy, now joint-fifth with Tamworth, claimed a 34-10 success at Walsall to move within a point of their hosts.

In the West Midlands, Pavs registered via Morgan Jones, Phil Eggleshaw, and Harry Kerr tries, the latter also adding a conversion; whilst Michael Dean, Luke Brown, Kai Lewis, Euan Murray, and a try, a penalty try, and three conversions from Calum Gunn would see Bridgy home.

In Counties 1 Midlands East (N) there was mixed fortunes for both Mansfield and Southwell, the former suffered a 50+ defeat away to leaders Hinckley IIs (57-5), the hosts increasing their unbeaten run to thirteen straight victories, whilst the latter moved within two points of the leaders following a sizeable win of their own, 45-8 at home to Boston.

Counties 2 would see Nottingham Moderns cruise to a 72-5 success against visiting Ashfield, Nottingham Casuals defeated their visitors Ashby 25-14, and Newark IIs lost 43-5 away to Kesteven; Counties 2 meanwhile saw those continued mixed fortunes.

In the North, Mosborough and Meden Vale are level on 48 points after both won, Vale defeated hosts Worksop 28-0 and Mosborough, who also have a game in hand, won 48-22 at lowly Ollerton; Worksop sit bottom of the division following a twelfth straight defeat.

The Central division meanwhile, with six of the regions clubs in action, have Keyworth leading the way, by nine points over West Bridgford IIs after the former smashed out a 70-point success at home to Mellish IIs (73-3), and Bridgy’s seconds, under the Friday Night Lights, went down 38-31 at home to visiting Nottinghamians, the latter propping the table having registered just their second success of the season.

The other two games involving Notts clubs saw Southwell IIs win 34-15 on the road at Melbourne IIs, and Paviors IIs see off visitors Rolls Royce 20-16, Southwell sitting fourth, four behind third placed Sleaford.

There was also some women’s action played at the weekend, in the Women’s NC 1 East West Bridgford claimed a 42-5 success away to Peterborough and are sitting fourth in a ten-team division; Jo Lumb, Sarah Driver, Charlotte Chaston and Emily Dargue amongst the points scorers for the victors.

As for the Women’s NC 2 Midlands (N) division, Mansfield moved within two points of leaders Stamford, with a game in hand, following a 24-10 win away to third place Mellish; Ashfield, the other Notts side in the division, collected a H/WO success against Sleaford, and are fifth in what is a seven-team division.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NottinghamRugby action from Nottingham’s defeat at Bedford.

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