Gillander is gunning for glory on all fronts

A 28-15 win over Moseley on Saturday meant the Blues will go into March with a home quarter-final in the British & Irish Cup.

Gillanders said: “It wasn’t the best game but we came here today to win, which would get us a home game next week and that’s what we got.

“It was important we got the first score after half time, it always going to be hard for them against the wind but we made sure we were in front then we could keep them under pressure.

“In the first half it was extremely hard because the wind made it tricky and we had the slope to deal with so it was tough and we didn’t do badly to get just three points behind.

“We’re going alright but we haven’t really done anything yet.

“Our aim was to get second in the league but the main part starts now.”

The 22-year-old, who made his 20th appearance of the season against Moseley, has been an integral part of Bedford’s success this year, scoring four tries.

But the former England U20 international is only concerned with the teams’ performance, adding: “The main thing is we’re winning and that’s what I enjoy most.

“It would be pretty hard if we were losing every week but we play a nice brand of rugby and are doing a good job at the moment.

“We’ve got our goals that we set ourselves and we’ve completed some of them by getting out of our pool top and then second in the league so now we have to look at the short term goals and the play-offs.”

Bedford now face Magners League side Leinster next Saturday at Goldington Road in what promises to be a terrific occasion.

“I’m really looking forward to the match next week,” continued Gillanders.

“The cups all about playing different teams and players and Leinster will give us that.

“The British & Irish Cup is important to us because it’s a chance at winning some silverware so we want to go as far as we can

“Last two years we’ve played Ulster so Leinster will be a different but tough challenge.”

Gillanders joined the club in 2008 and feels the Blues have been slowly improving since then while building a strong squad.

“I think the signings that have come in this season have done well, we’ve improved from last year,” he added.