BLUES: Play offs confirmed
Bedford Blues now know their opponents in the Championship play-offs.
Saturday's results confirmed that Bedford will face Plymouth, Bristol and Cornish Pirates in what is sure to be a mouth-watering pool.
Club Chairman Geoff Irvine is relishing the opportunity of progressing from Group A.
He said: "A lot of credit has to go to Mike Rayer, all of the coaches and, of course, all of the players for their hard work and dedication throughout the season.
"We all knew what was going to be happening with the Championship this year and the club has secured an excellent league finish which offers us a great chance in the play-offs.
"Our supporters are also massively important with their vocal support and we will be relying on them to give the lads the extra boost on the field during these crucial play-off games.
"Many of the clubs in the Championship realise just how important these play-offs are regardless of whether ground specification allows them to joint the Premiership. That was abundantly clear on Saturday when Rotherham came to Goldington Road and fought tooth-and-nail to finish in the top eight.
"A change in the rules means that the losing side in the play-off semi-final walks away with 70 per cent of the gate money. This may have put a few peoples' noses out of joint but a 50,000 cash boost to the defeated side could really make a huge difference to their budget for the following season and would only strengthen competition in our league.
"Likewise, if we did make the two legged final then we could stand to make around 150,000 and that is the difference between making a loss over the season or breaking even.
"I think that these play-offs are going to be hugely entertaining. We've already had mixed results and performances against all of the teams in our pool. Bristol's visit in September was a thrilling encounter but the former Premiership club pipped us to the win by a single point.
"We have also recorded one win and one defeat against both Plymouth and Cornish Pirates. I'm sure that Mike and the boys will want to make up for the narrow defeat against the Pirates at Camborne Rec and the disappointing loss against Plymouth just before Christmas.
"To say that these games are 'dead rubbers' couldn't be further from the truth and I hope that all of our fans get behind the team as they try to make history by claiming the first ever Championship."
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Weather for Bedford
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: West
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Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
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