A battling performance by Bedford Colts was not enough to secure a win over a powerful Leeds Carnegie side as they went down to a 10-0 reverse on Saturday.

Bedford, missing three players on Midlands duty on Sunday, were 10-0 down at half time.

Leeds opened the scoring with a well-worked try from a lineout drive after five minutes and despite creating some good opportunities Bedford conceded a second score deep into injury time.

Turning around to face the wind after the restart Bedford increased the pace of the game and tried to put Leeds under pressure.

However, the Leeds half-backs controlled the game extremely well and drove Bedford back deep into their own territory with a well judged kicking game.

The Bedford pack had a great battle with their Leeds opposite numbers.

Joe Burton in particular impressed by winning good lineout ball, while the Bedford back row and second row secured some good turnover ball.

The half remained evenly balanced with neither side able to breach their opponents' organised defence to add any further scores.