For pride in a performance Sam Richbell’s Tigers get ten out of ten for their sterling efforts and never say die attitude in this pre-season challenge match against the Oxford Cavaliers.
Despite an arduous delayed journey to Oxford which resulted in the kick-off being put back by over 30 minutes, the Tigers began their first full game of the season brightly, looking enthusiastic and organised in defence.
The Tigers capitalised early in the half after strong defensive pressure lead to a number of mistakes from the home side. Debutant Scott Aspinall scored out wide after simple passing along the line had left him with just enough of a gap to sneak over the whitewash.
Despite further pressure the Tigers were unable to capitalise allowing the Cavaliers back into match when their acting half back crashed over from short range under the posts. With the easy goal the Cavaliers went into the lead midway through the first half.
The Cavaliers mounted further pressure but the Tigers defence held strong until the final minutes of the half. Two tries and a goal in quick succession gave the Cavaliers a commanding half time lead of 16 – 4.
The Tigers knew that they had to begin the second half strongly to have any chance in the game. And they did. The Tigers piled sustained pressure on the Oxford defence and eventually Sam Richbell broke the line and offloaded in the tackle to a grateful Dean Ashton who dived over the line despite the attention of two Oxford tacklers. Rob Ashton added the extras to open his account for the day.
Keeping the pressure on the Cavaliers, crafty half back Paul Ryder, who had teased the Oxford defence with his footwork all afternoon, was rewarded with a fine try as he danced through line. Ashton again added the conversion to level the scores at 16 all.
Aspinall took the Tigers into a deserved lead with a fine solo try from the half way line, breaking through a weak tackle before outpacing the covering defence. Further pressure on the Oxford line allowed Darren Pickard to arc round the sliding defence to score in the corner, giving the Tigers a 26 -16 lead.
After a few mistakes had given the Cavaliers field position the Tigers defence finally broke and the Cavaliers’ winger showed good awareness to step and score an unconverted try in the corner.
With their strong Cavaliers back within six points, the Tigers were determined to hold onto the lead. They forced their way back up the field and strong running from forward Gary Flook sliced through a number of desperate tackles. Ashton’s forth conversion finished the scoring for the Tigers.
A late consolation try to Oxford at the final whistle failed to dampen the Tigers spirit and they held on for a well deserved victory. All 13 players had to dig deep and this performance will certainly give coach Richbell selection headaches as the season approaches.
Final score Oxford Cavaliers 26-32 Bedford Tigers
Team – Walker, Aspinall, Hollister, Robson, Pickard, Ryder, R. Ashton, Riding, D. Ashton, Harris, Richbell, Howe, Flook.
Tries – Aspinall 2, Dean Ashton, Paul Ryder, Darren Pickard, Gary Flook.
Goals – Rob Ashton 4.
Man of the match – Ben Howe. A solid defensive performance which was matched with enthusistic attacking from the second row!
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