BEDFORD ATHLETIC: An inexperienced Ath side were beaten 67-3 at South Leicester in National League Three Midlands at the weekend.

With five regular first team players missing and three players making their debuts, including two colts, the side had neither the physicality necessary nor the experience required to make this a competitive encounter.

The first half saw Bedford Athletic bullied by the hosts in the close exchanges and scored four tries, three of which were convetered.
The sole reply for the visitors came from a Matt Jones penalty on 25 minutes as Ath trailed 26-3 at the interval.

The start of the second half was horrendous for the visitors. In the first five minutes barely a tackle was made and three tries conceded, taking the score to 43-3 as two of the conversions were missed. South Leicester went on to score seven tries in the second half taking their total for the game to eleven,

This weekend, Ath visit second bottom Kettering, while Bedford Ath Colts host Dinnington in the fifth round of the National Colts Cup, kick-off 2.15pm.


BEDFORD SWIFTS: With a number of key players missing through injury and unavailability Swifts slipped to a disappointing 19-12 defeat at Brackley in Midlands Three East South on Saturday.

It all started so well for Swifts, who took the lead when scrum-half Jez Britton raced around the blind side and reached out to score an unconverted try in the corner.

And they were immediately back on the front foot. The game plan of playing deep in Brackley's half, kicking to the corners and making their back three work hard in the wet mud was working well.

One of the tries of the season so far followed, involving forwards and
backs combining as Swifts moved from just inside their own half and offloads from Phil Jones, Paul Robson, Andy Wight, Simon Bunday and Harry Alston eventually found Nathan Reed with a clear run to the line.

Rob McInnes successfully kicked the extras to make it 12-0. But that was to be Swifts' last score of the match as Brackley hit back to earn the win.

This weekend Swifts host Northampton Casuals.

>> In youth rugby action, Bedford Swifts U16s beat their Datchworth counterparts 10-0.

Ernest Jordaan and Joe Buszka scored the tries and the win moves Swifts up to third in their division with two matches remaining.


AMPTHILL: Amps' scheduled National League Three Midlands fixture with Kettering at Dillingham Park on Saturday was postponed for the second week running.

An unplayable pitch was once again the reason and, after their enforced two-week break, league leaders Ampthill are due to return to action at Longton this weekend.


QUEENS: The team recorded a 19-5 home win over Deepings in Midlands Three East South on Saturday.

Josh Harris and Dan Toes scored the hosts' two unconverted tries with Dave Morrish adding three penalties. This weekend, Queens are scheduled to visit Rugby St Andrews.