Athletic breeze past Oadby to seal play-off place
A comfortable afternoon for Bedford Athletic saw them brush visitors Oadby Wyggestonians aside in a 78-7 win.
The opening score arrived as early as the second minute with full back Louis Haley crossing the line for the opening try and fly half Leo Mortimer converting for a 7-0 lead.
Although a first try of the day for right wing Jack Darlow soon followed, the opening 20 minutes proved to be the most competitive period of the match, drawing to a close with the home side’s lead just 12-0.
The second 20 minutes through to half time were a different story though. On 22 minutes full back Haley was on hand to score his second try and the away team’s confidence began to fail.
Darlow capitalised with his second try three minutes later and before half time the forwards were also to get in on the act with a forward drive ending with a try to flanker Rob Watkins.
The second two tries were both converted by Mortimer before Oadby did register a score before half time, openside flanker Charlie Warne crossing for the try converted by Henry Cooke as Bedford led 31-7 at half time.
Tom Bailey opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the second half, registering his third try in four matches this season. Mortimer converted.
Four minutes later it was a more significant milestone as Josh Cassell crossed for his 150th try in 204 appearances for the first XV, Mortimer again converting.
Having never scored in 15 previous appearances for the side, Jack Darlow completed his hat-trick on 52 minutes with Mortimer adding the conversion to stretch the score to a 52-7 lead.
The forwards continued to contribute as well and it was prop Ryan Taylor who was next on the scoresheet on the hour mark, the conversion from Mortimer bringing up the 19,000 points mark in the league for the first team.
Not to be associated solely with kicking he then added a try two minutes later to take the score to 64-7.
With 15 minutes left to play scrum half Tom Orton marked a man of the match performance with a try that Mortimer also converted. It was his first man of the match award in 269 appearances for the first XV, coming one day shy of his 40th birthday.
Rob Watkins closed proceedings with his second try, Mortimer’s conversion taking his points haul for the day to 23.
The win combined with Stamford’s defeat at home to Market Harborough sees the team qualify for the end of season play offs.