The match will be remembered for James Mortimer successfully surpassing the points record for the first team in the modern era, with his five conversions taking him to a career record 1,378 points, two ahead of Ashley Tapper’s 1,376.
The first two tries arrived via crossfield kicks from Mortimer with Liam Walsh and Charlie Darlow benefitting for a 10-0 lead.
Bedford’s control of the kick-off was a problem and following Darlow’s try the hosts conceded the ball and it took a well-executed interception by Josh Cassell to break it up as he raced away for a try from 80 metres. Mortimer converted.
David Simpson darted away for a bonus point try on 25 minutes, Mortimer converting for a 24-0 lead.
Oundle got one converted try back through Will Carrington in the 32nd minute, but Stephen Woodhead’s score made it 29-7 at the break.
Ath dominated the first 20 minutes of the second period. James Wallace set the standard with a strong carry and wave after wave battered the visiting line before Ryan Taylor squeezed over, while Cassell’s second of the day opened up a 41-7 lead.
Woodhead ran a fine inside line from a lineout in the 51st minute for his second, as Mortimer converted to equal the scoring record, before in the 57th minute Cassell completed his hat-trick to extend the lead to 53-7.
A couple of errors in the home defence allowed Oundle’s Carrington to finish and they added another from a long kick by James Keane.
Bedford finished strongly with Cassell adding his fourth of the day and Harry Sawford-Smith charged through for another under the posts, Mortimer’s conversion made him the leading points scorer since the leagues began in 1987.
There is a break from league action this Saturday and instead Bedford travel to Stockwood Park on Thursday night to start their defence of the Bedfordshire Cup.