First away win keeps Bedford Blues on course for play-offs

In control, Blues will wonder just how they found themselves in the position of fighting for their lives at the end after dominating territory in the second half but somehow losing it 5-3.

Multiple attacking sets went begging and on another day, the result could have been mightily different as four successive penalties at the death made it a nerve-jangling ending.

Bedford tries came from Ilan Evans, George Worth, Fred Tuilagi and Joey Conway plus a vital penalty from Will Maisey in the second half.

And Joe Hill enjoyed a massive moment in his Bedford career getting the vital turnover in the 84th minute of the contest. He went from not being in the 23, to stepping up onto the bench with Ryan Hutler pulled out injured, to deciding the game in Bedford’s favour.

The players now have three weeks to refocus and go again.

Neighbours Ampthill were edged out 40-36 at home by Coventry in a 11-try classic on the Olney Field on Saturday afternoon, despite the Mob putting on an impressive display throughout the contest.

Head coach Dave Ward said, “I’m happy with the way we played, our attack was good, but ultimately we didn’t come away with the five points, which is gutting really in a game we could and should’ve probably won.

“Coventry did what most teams do and executed when they needed to, and unfortunately for us there were two big opportunities at the end that we didn’t take.”

The hosts extended an interval 15-12 lead to 22-12 before Coventry hit back with two tries.

A topsy turvey second half then saw the lead continue to change hands and the Mob's fifth try of the afternoon saw them lead 36-33 with 12 minutes remaining.

But the visitors struck the decisive blow with 10 minutes remaining, scoring the 11th and final try of the match to secure the win, after a dominant rolling maul was finished by replacement hooker Murray Davidson.

Barton, Auvaa, Wilson (2) and Heslop were try scorers for the Mob with four conversions and a penalty by Barton.