Bedford Swifts swoop to land the Veterans Cup

Both teams had reached the final unbeaten through the pool stages, and the game proved to be an epic encounter, with the lead changing hands multiple times.

Swifts started strongly, taking an early 9-0 lead through the trusty boot of Josh Davies, but Stewarts and Lloyds then had a long period of sustained pressure that saw them take a lead in at half-time.

Swifts’ ill discipline did not help, as scrum-half Martin Blizzard and inspirational skipper Matt Litchfield were both yellow carded before the interval.

Bedford retook the lead in the second half with a converted try scored by Chris Powell and further penalties from Davies, but Stewarts and Lloyds forced their way back into the game and levelled the scores at 25-all with the final kick of normal time.

This meant a further 20 minutes of play to decide the champions.

Swifts controlled territory and retook the lead through a Darren Frisbee try from pick and drive from close in, but Davies missed his first kick of the day.

The Swifts kicker did, however, get his eye back in to slot three more points in the second half and Bedford held out to take the title.

Swifts Vets would like to thank their sponsors Tradeline Recruitment, Creative Windows and Box & Charnock for all their support.