A great weekend for Bedford Athletic saw both their first XV and colts triumph as they advanced into the finals of their respective cup competitions.

The seniors led the way with a 51-8 demolition of Northampton Old Scouts in the semi-finals of the Wells & Youngs Bombardier East Midlands Cup.

That victory booked them a place for April's Goldington Road final and also secured them a place in the lucrative National Trophy competition for next season.

Simon Elphick got Ath off the mark with his first minute try, although Ashley Tapper was off target with his conversion.

Playing with the wind Bedford dominated and more points soon followed when Old Scouts number eight Brett Daynes was sin binned. In his absence Tapper kicked a penalty and converted a Scott Grant try to make it 15-0.

Even after Daynes' return matters did not get much better for Old Scouts as first Fernley Simmonds, then Ollie Wills and finally Mike Hudson all crossed before half time. Tapper converted one of them to give Ath a commanding 32-0 half time lead.

The hosts hit back with an early try and penalty, before Ath reasserted their dominance.

Simon Elphick rounded off a flowing backs move on 63 minutes, before Matt Ireland and Andrew Grounds weighed in with further tries. Tapper converted two to take Bedford past the 50-point mark.

Ath's colts, meanwhile, feel behind to Lutonians' youngsters after just a minute in their Bedfordshire Colts Cup semi-final.

Ath had to weather a first half barrage from their hosts and only a last-ditch tackle from Charlie Darlow prevented prevented Luton from scoring in the corner.

Trailing 5-0 at half time Ath gradually worked their way back into the game.

A clever kick from James Mortimer eventually led to turnover ball in Luton's 22 and Matt Jones crashed over and Mortimer converted to move Ath into a 7-5 lead.

Luton then missed a penalty with the final kick of the match as Ath progressed into the final that will be held at the end of March.

On Saturday Ath first XV entertain Luctonians at Putnoe Woods in Midlands One, kick-off 3pm, while their Colts travel to Towcestrians in the quarter-finals of the East Midlands Colts Cup.