Brave fightback not quite enough to rescue Bedford Athletic

Despite outscoring their visitors by six tries to five, Bedford Athletic fell to a narrow 36-34 defeat at the hands of Hertford.
Action involving Bedford Athletic, who remain in relegation trouble after Saturdays defeat. EMN-200224-161151002Action involving Bedford Athletic, who remain in relegation trouble after Saturdays defeat. EMN-200224-161151002
Action involving Bedford Athletic, who remain in relegation trouble after Saturdays defeat. EMN-200224-161151002

Much of the damage was done in a disastrous first half-hour when Bedford conceded 22 points without reply.

The fightback was commendable but did little to ease their relegation fears in the London and South-East Premier Division of the National League. They remain next to bottom, with five matches to play, beginning with a daunting trip to top-of-the-table Guernsey on Saturday.

Fifth-placed Hertford were in front with their first try as early as the fourth minute when number eight Matt MacDougall crashed over the line.

Winger Charlie Parkhouse followed up eight minutes later, and when Ben Creasy added a third try, followed by a Liam Batty penalty, Bedford appeared to be staring down the proverbial barrel.

However, by the interval, they had cut the deficit to 22-10. First, left-wing Archie Simmons scored a try and then, after Hertford had had a player sin-binned, Dan Sims smashed over from a lineout drive.

Hopes of a remarkable recovery were fuelled even further early in the second half when Stephen Woodhead added another try and Leo Mortimer converted. And it wasn’t long before the scores were level as Steve Smith’s break led to Ryan Taylor dotting down.

Crucially, the next score came from Hertford, via centre Harry Barker, who charged through to score under the posts.

Smith pulled a try back from out wide, but Creasy struck again for the visitors to put them 36-27 up before a late consolation score on his 50th appearance for the side by Ben Thompson.