Bedford Athletic celebrated their centenary in style at Putnoe Woods on Saturday with an 18-try feast of rugby as they lost 67-41 to a Penguin International XV.

Ath included former favourites Mouritz Botha (Bedford Blues), Simon Lincoln (Lutonians) and Darren Stapleton (Bedford Swifts) in their side, while the Penguins boasted Scotland international Craig Joiner on the left wing.

It was the Bedford side who started better and they opened the scoring after just two minutes. The impressive Botha won a lineout and captain Phil Elphick cut a good line back across the defence to touch down for the opening try, Ashley Tapper converting.

The Penguins capitalised on a couple of unforced Ath errors with Rugby Lions fly-half Tommy Turner and Jack Wrigglesworth of Bedford both crossing the whitewash, before Joiner showed his class to score Penguins' third after only nine minutes to make it 19-7.

Despite some bullocking runs from Botha and Garry Acton, dropped ball allowed Blues prop James Graham to run in Penguins' fourth try on 23 minutes.

Scott Grant got Ath back in the game when he crossed on 29 minutes, before the sides' scrum-halves swapped tries before half time.

First Harry Peck of Luton broke away for the Penguins and then Ath's Ollie Peck outpaced the visiting defence from the 10-metre line to leave the hosts trailing 29-19 at half time.

The Penguins proceeded to blow Ath away with four tries in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

The introduction of Bedford back-rower Marc Comb had a lot to do with it as he twice rampaged through the home side.

Blues captain Matt Allen added another try and Graham also touched down as the visitors surged into a 55-19 lead.

Prop Andrew Grounds hit back for Ath on 56 minutes, only for Penguins replacement John MacDonough to extend the visitors' lead once more.
Botha barged over from a catch-and-drive move on 64 minutes, Simon Lincoln converting.

Replacement Piotrowski scored the Penguins' final try on 67 minutes, although Turner, who already had six conversions to his name, missed his kick.

The final 10 minutes belonged to the home side with Phil Elphick and Grant both registering tries.

Ath's Colts, meanwhile, won the Centenary Lord Luke Sevens Tournament on Sunday. Round robin wins against Ampthill, Dunstablians, Northampton BBOBs and their own second team set up a final against Ampthill, who they beat 42-7.

Bedford's centenary celebrations continue on Saturday when Putnoe Woods hosts the County Championship match between East Midlands and Kent, kick-off 3pm. On Sunday Ath's Colts travel to Wellingborough to take
part in the East Midlands Colts Sevens.