Bedians had just cause for optimism playing a Chester side on the receiving end of some poor results in the league over recent weeks, but were ultimately well beaten. However, on a day when four Bedians had to leave the pitch injured, with a fifth going down on the stroke of full time, Bedians were glad to make it back to the right end of the M56 in one piece.

Bedians started the game with absentees in some key positions, but with some more than capable understudies coming up from the 3rd XV. Bedians kicked off playing downhill on surely one of the widest pitches in the league, and it quickly became apparent that this suited a pacey Chester side, who took every opportunity to spread the ball wide and attack Bedians back line. Bedians were momentarily on the back foot, however their defence held firm, and indeed it was Bedians who drew first blood, with a powerful break from Terry Chatterton, who could have scored himself, selflessly putting Ben Blanco in for a try under the posts.

Chester struck back quickly, scoring, as they managed to do several times through the rest of the afternoon, using a combination of the width of the pitch, quick three quarters and excellent support running from their back row. Bedians forwards, who began well, and were competitive in the scrum and line-out throughout, were coming off second best in the tackle area, with what ball Bedians had being turned over far too easily. Problems were exacerbated when stalwart prop Vinny Heareraere went off mid way through the first half with an elbow injury. Bedians were able to borrow a player from the home side, but were forced to make do with parity in the scrum when domination had looked possible. Bedians then had to do without nuisance open side Blanco, who had pulled his groin. Bedians were able to borrow a second player from the home side, but this was obviously far from ideal.

The Bedians back line made good use of what ball they had, with Chatterton having some impressive carries, and Declan Crilly proving elusive using his balance and power to break the line from full back on several occasions They were strong too in defence, with Dave Jinner, and centre Al Black making good tackles. Fly-half Michael Rothwell played an intelligent game with the ball he had, before he too went down injured, with the returning George Bloor, playing his first game of rugby for three years, slotting creditably in as his replacement. Shortly after this, Bedians lost blind side and line out jumper Dave Kay to a head injury, and while Blanco courageously came back on to help his team, Chester made use of their numerical advantage to rack up three more scores.

Bedians showed a lot of character, fighting back well in the second half, as wing Jinner scored a well taken try, using his pace and power to touch down under the posts. Ultimately however, the absences, injuries to key players, and running game of Chester proved too much for Bedians on the day, and they will be relieved to put this game behind them.

Old Bedians convincingly beat a strong Winnington Park side this week in a tough, hard fought game at 'Fortress' Millgate Lane. The home side were able to put last weeks disappointment at Crewe behind them in the best possible way.

Winnington Park arrived at Old Bedians unrecognisable from the away fixture earlier in the season, having changed both the colour of their kit and a significant portion of their personel. After some early confusion, Bedians kicked off wearing the kit of local rivals Toc H, generously donated at the last minute. The early exchanges were fairly equal, but Winnington gave away a penalty just inside their own half. From the resulting line out on the five yard line, Bedians drove over the line with Number 8 Jack Rowley touching down in the corner.

The lead was short lived however. The away side had size and power in the backs and the forwards, and were able to combine well breaking up the pitch to score what turned out to be their only points of the day, a converted try. The remainder of the first half was fairly even in terms of territory, however Bedians took most of the chances that came their way, with Rowley sneaking another try after some good turnover work at the base of the scrum by blind side Phil Parker, and Terry Chatterton scoring the first of his two tries after some powerful driving play by the forwards sucked in enough Winnington defenders to release the backs. Scrum half McCracken's sniping runs were a constant threat in the loose, and he was unlucky not to score after one such break, before hurling the ball forward over the opposition try line. Bedians improved throughout the first half, primarily through the efforts of the pack at the break down and the set piece. Schofield and Heareaue bossed the scrum, and back row Chris Heatherington made a real nuisance of himself in the loose.

The sides turned round with Bedians just in front, and with a one man advantage as the Winnington scrum half had been sin binned for being offside, then failing to retreat ten from the resulting quickly taken penalty before kicking the runner whilst on the ground.

Winnington made use of several of their six substitutes at half time and early in the second half, and the fresh legs made a difference, as Bedians were forced very much on the back foot for the first ten minutes of the half, and the match was very much in the balance. However, after a number of high yardage breaks by the visitors, they were unable to score, as the Bedians defence, so impressive all season, held firm. After weathering the initial storm, the Bedians pack began to wrest control of the match back from Winnington, with second row Samuels particularly impressive. Centre Chatterton scored his second of the day with some typically forthright running, and the scoring was topped late on with a try by the mercurial Parker from an intelligent chip kick by fly half Waterworth.

The game was an absorbing contest, never less than competitive, and was a credit to both sides. Winnington refused to give up and put pressure on Bedians right up to the final whistle, while the home side stood firm in their determination to defend their try line at all costs, and, as so often this season, were able to turn aggressive defence into attack. The pack contested every break down and set piece, while the backs tackled everything that came at them, and the try scoring split between them was fair. Ordinarily in a game such as this one of the forwards would be man of the match, but that honour probably belongs to scrum half McCracken, who tidied up the scraps well, was a constant threat on the fringes, and despite his diminutive stature, bossed the forwards throughout.

Old Bedians lost a poor match in appalling conditions this Saturday, against a lacklustre Crewe side  who played the conditions and used their size advantage to the fullest.

The match started fairly evenly, with Crewe exerting some early pressure on the Bedians line, which the away side did well to resist for several minutes. Bedians defensive line held firm with Jonjo Walsh and Steve 'Phil' McCracken in particular making some excellent tackles, and the front five doing well to hold up one Crewe effort over the line. However,  and the fact that Bedians were playing a scratch side led to some communication breakdowns, until the Crewe outside centre was able to power over the line.

Crewe missed the relatively simple conversion, and their advantage was short lived, as Bedians used the kick off to exert some pressure on Crewe, Chris Hetherington eventually taking well a try, well made by Ritchie Waterworth's intelligent kicking, who himself followed up with the conversion.

That was the last time that Bedians troubled the scorers however, as Crewe played a direct game, using their strong running three quarters to make territory, and then their large pack to maul the smaller Bedians pack backwards. Bedians defended well throughout, but effectively played most of the game without the ball in their hands, and on a truly dreadful home pitch were always going to find it tough. The hard running Jim Bloor caused a few problems in attack, and Walsh and McCracken both had good early runs, but ultimately Crewe had too much of the game. This led to frustrations boiling over on a number of occasions, with your correspondent being shown a yellow card for a professional foul and forcing uncontested scrums for ten minutes, and Bedians other prop, the veteran Vinny Hoaereu, escaping a similar fate by the skin of his teeth.

Ultimately, Crewe were very pleased to win this game, and for Bedians, no loss this season has caused as much disappointment. The away side know they have to come back to Crewe to play their Second team before the end of the season, and should remember today's game, both in terms of the type of game they can expect, and the measure of revenge they should look to exact.

Old Bedians destroyed a lacklustre Moore side with a display of ruthless running rugby, but could yet be left counting the cost after losing an entire back three in the first half.

A strong Old Bedians side expected a strong game from a Moore side who ran them very close in the away fixture early in the season, however, after scoring four tries in the first ten minutes, it became apparent that this was a Moore side whose minds were elsewhere. The scoring was opened by Rob Oliver, returning after a serious shoulder injury. Bedians took the kick off, passed the ball out wide and Oliver used his searing pace to take advantage of some poor tackling running in from inside his own half. More tries followed, an early highlight being a quick tap penalty taken by second row Mick Samuels on the half way line,  whilst surrounded by the Moore pack, who allowed him to canter in under the posts. Prop Vinny Hereau got in on the act, scoring from close range after some strong Bedians running and excellent support work, and Number Eight Jack Rowley was able to cross the line from a driven five yard line out.

Moore simply could not live with Bedians, in the pack or the backs. The Bedians scrum was dominant, with Andy Schofield yet again besting a bigger prop, and also jumping in the line in what he no doubt hopes is a one off. The mercurial Phil Parker took all his own line out ball and much of the oppositions,  with hooker Nick Wasp doing well with the throw, as well as making a nuisance of himself around the park. Back row Ben Blanco followed up an impressive performance against Northwich with another one today, popping up wherever needed.

While the forwards laid the platform, it was the backs who created and for the most part scored the tries. Terry Chatterton made ground every time he got the ball, scoring Bedians second try with some very impressive, if somewhat fortuitous, handling. Fullback Jonjo Walsh  provided some elusive running, and the half back pairing of Bloor and Waterworth provided almost perfect service, the latter getting on the score sheet through a sublime, if familiar to home supporters, dummy, slicing through the Moore three quarters. The back three of Mike Galah, Rob Oliver and Declan Crilly all looked genuinely impressive early on, before each succumbing to injury in the first half, and an honourable mention must go to back row Chris Omagh, brought on as a substitute in the centres who scored a well taken hat trick.

Moore showed some fight on occasion, coming close to scoring in the first half, and in the last five minutes of the second, however, for far too much of this game, Bedians were allowed to play the game entirely on their own terms, and deserve credit for retaining some structure to their game, and most importantly for keeping Moore from scoring. Bedians continue their advance up the league, and can look forward to next weeks trip to play Crewe and Nantwich’s 2nd XV high on confidence.

Old Bedians won a keenly contested and closely fought game, with a disciplined performance based on rock solid defence. It was a match that could have gone either way and went right down to the last second, Bede’s holding out a last minute line out on their own try line.

The game started badly for Bedians as Northwich scored inside the first minute after some poor defensive work. Immediately following this, Northwich‘s captain was sent to the sin bin for managing to find himself in an offside position three times in one passage of play. Playing into a strong wind in the first half, Bedians were forced to run the ball, and this proved a blessing, as Bedians scored three tries in the first half. The first, from fly half Waterworth, came after some good support running by Bedians players, with scrum half McCracken giving the final pass.  The other two tries were both scored by winger Feedo who used his scorching pace to good effect, easily beating his opposing number to touch down both tries in the corner. Northwich posed a considerable threat themselves going forward. Playing a direct style of rugby, they used their powerful runners in the back row and centres, and caused considerable problems for the Bedians defence, crossing the line themselves three times, converting two, for the match to turn round 19-15 to Northwich.

Immediately into the second half, Bedians found themselves on their own line almost continuously for almost the first twenty minutes. However, resolute and disciplined defending meant that in that time, no penalties were conceded and Northwich were unable to extend their lead. Scrum half McCracken, belying his diminutive stature, held up the Northwich Number eight twice. During this period the Bedians pack shaded their battle with Northwich, securing possession in the scrum, winning their line out, and competing at the break down. Front row Andy Schofield, second row Mick Samuels and back row Ben Blanco all excellent at the set piece and the turnover, with Dave Kay imperious at the line out. However the most important thing was that in all that time, Bedians never conceded a penalty. Northwich by contrast hit fly half Waterworth late after a kick to ease the pressure.. Once Bedians were able to get up the park, Northwich’s discipline failed them twice more, allowing Waterworth to kick two penalties to take the game beyond the home side. As Bedians played down the clock, Northwich fought back strongly, but as they chased the game, their discipline cost them dearly, as every time they found themselves in a strong position, penalties went against them.

Bedians can credit themselves with an excellent win, and feel proud to have done a league double over a side who had only lost two games all season.

Bedians young Turks rule the roost

Old Bedians 13
Caldy 0

A heavily depleted Bedians team, many of whom were playing in the 2nd XV for the first time, comprehensively defeated a much older and larger Caldy team in a match played in terrible conditions at Millgate Lane.

The match kicked off on a very muddy pitch, which had some added texture due to the efforts of some budding rally drivers using the pitch as a test track. Bedians started well, receiving the kick off taking the game immediately to Caldy. A series of forward drives knocked the larger Caldy forwards back, before the ball was spun down the line to good effect, with handling that belied the poor conditions. Bedes just shaded the opening few minutes, and edged ahead early on due to the first of two penalties and a conversion put over by fly half Swede.

Before long it became apparent that Caldy's only real attacking intent was to kick any possession they had. Despite the fact that Bede's misfiring line out effectively ceded possession to the opposition, the spirit and determination of Bede's forwards, notably Darius Thomas in the second row, young tyro Andy Schofield giving a typically committed performance at hooker, and old stagers Parker and Rowley using their nous in the back row to help the youngsters, meant that the experience and size of the opposition counted for little. The forwards won good ball for the backs both in the loose and scrum, with scrum half Jonjo Walsh posing a real threat in the blind, and back row Pete Retchen, out of position in the centres making a lot of good ground.

Where many teams would have settled to play a kicking game, Bedians ran almost everything, and Caldy could not cope, eventually conceding a further penalty in kickable range, to put them six behind. The final nail in the coffin was hammered in when Caldy failed to realise they had lost a ball from a defensive maul on their own line, and scrum half Jonjo Walsh touched down before anyone from either team realised he had the ball.

When Caldy chose to run they did create problems. Three times their winger appeared to be through on the line, only for young winger Dave Jinner to make excellent try saving tackles which epitomised the never say die spirit of the Bedians youngsters.

This was a highly satisfying day for Bede's, enabling them to move up one spot in the league, beating a team that had lost only twice this season and proving that the club has real strength in depth. Where results elsewhere make grim reading, the future of the club looks in good hands.
 

Bedians Progress in Cup

With no first team action, Bedians’ second team defeated their counterparts from Burnage 29-12 in a cup game.

Both sides were keen to turn early possession into points, but early pressure by Bedians produced few chances before Burnage punished the home side by scoring the first try of the match.

Bedians continued to pres the Burnage try line and were rewarded with a try just before the break.

Burnage were unable to keep Bedians at bay during the second half as the home side ran in four tries and secure a place in the next round

Bedians bounce back, Park Pay the Price

Old Bedians 35
Broughton Park 5

Bede’s finally got the win their recent performances have been promising beating a below strength Broughton Park, numbering only 14 men, in poor conditions.

With a strong wind blowing across the pitch, benefiting neither side in particular, Bedians started well but Park put up stiff resistance. The conditions meant that both sides put relatively safe kicks out on the full, putting their own lines under pressure. Despite this, the early play was mostly in the Park twenty two. Powerful and incisive breaks by the increasingly formidable centre partnership of Terry Chatterton and Ben Black put a lot of pressure on the Park line, with only a dose of white line fever by the Bedians pack leading to a turnover. However, Bedians dominance eventually told when Alan Smithee ran over in the corner.

Bedians pack started to turn the screw as well, with the front five working well in the scrum, and competing well in the line out. Park soon felt the pressure and had to revert to uncontested scrums, cancelling out what was threatening to be an area of real advantage. However, Park were unable to demand the rucks and mauls be neutralised in that manner, a number of rolling mauls throughout the game put Park under real pressure, yielding one of powerhouse second row Mick Samuels’s two tries.

By now the forward domination was providing the backs with plenty of good ball. Veteran fly half Ritchie Waterworth rolled back the years to score a well worked chip and chase. Man of the match Fr Declan Maguire had plenty of good news to take back the seminary as a series of powerful runs left tacklers reeling in his wake, resulting in two tries, the best of which came straight from a kick off and involved the young priest breaking through the entire Park pack, dodging the three quarters and touching down under the posts. Samuels scored his second of the day shortly after, dragging three Park defenders over the line with him from all of three yards out.

Park were game opposition, their scrum half was an irritant in the loose, and their line out was effective, but Bede’s were too strong in all areas of the pitch, and the extra man advantage told. The front five dominated at the set piece and the break down, and Andy Smoker, Pete Retchen and Andy Schofield supported excellently throughout, (although the latter may need to learn to go to ground a second earlier when he has the support), and the backs just had too much class on the day, with scrum half Bloor providing them with pin point service.

Next week sees a cup match off with old rivals Burnage, and Bede’s will be hoping that they can continue this form and put one over on their neighbours.
 

Bedians weather the storm but fall at the last.

Caldy 23
Old Bedians 14

Old Bedians were unlucky to lose a closely contested and keenly fought match against Caldy, but can at least content themselves with a performance that showed plenty of character and determination.

Winning away on Merseyside against a Caldy side running second in the league was always going to be a tough ask for Bedians, but they came very close and can think count themselves unfortunate to come away with nothing.

The game started with a series of scrums on the Bedians line, but Caldy did not have the technique to go with their significant size advantage, and Bedians held firm, with young prop Andy Schofield particularly impressive, laying the ground for a man of the match performance. Bedians managed to clear their lines, but Caldy continued to exert pressure, and Bede’s were eventually forced to concede a penalty in front of the posts, which was kicked by Caldy. From the restart Caldy continued to bombard the Old Bedians line, and Bedians, though impressive in defence, with the likes of Johnny Lyons and in particular Jim O’Neill making big hits, eventually ran out of tacklers and Caldy crossed the line for a converted try.

Bedians fought back well however, and were able to exert some pressure of their own. The mercurial Phil Parker was impressive in the line outs, stealing plenty of Caldy ball, and securing his own. Along with impressive contributions at the break down by Neil Gosling and Andy Smoker, this laid the foundations for the backs to attack Caldy, with three quarters Terry Chatterton and Ben Black combining well, and Bede’s were unlucky not to convert a couple of overlaps into tries. The sides turned round 11-0 at half time, but Caldy knew they were in for a tough game.

This was proved early in the second half when Bede’s took the lead, running in two tries in quick succession, scored by John Carlisle and Ben Black, both well converted by Ritchie Waterworth. This was the queue for a sustained period of good play by Bedians, which was only relieved when Bedians, having fired an up and under kick at the posts, the referee controversially ruled that Bedians kicked the ball over the line and opted for a 22 metre drop out rather than a Bede’s fiver metre scrum. From this, Caldy were able to gain good field position and once again put Bedians under a period of heavy pressure on their line. Bede’s defended well but were unable to get back up the park, and eventually Caldy drove a maul over the line. With Bedians then forced to chase the game, gaps opened up and Caldy were able to capitalise on this scoring another well worked try on the wing.

All in all, Bedians were unlucky not to get a result, and will look forward to playing this Caldy side at home. Next week sees the visit of Broughton Park, and Bedians will hope, this time, to convert an excellent performance into a much needed win.
 

Bedians lost what was a poor game to a functional Macclesfield side, with their worst performance in long time. Bedians, with a largely scratch side that was noticeably smaller than their opposition, started very well. They won their own and Macclesfield’s line out ball with Phil Parker in impressive form, and Jim O’Neill and guest star Jaffa Worthington pressurised the Macclesfield scrum well. The three quarters looked dangerous, with returnee Terry Chatterton making some of his trademark powerful runs, and one excellent break for young winger Andrew Welsby.  

However it was Macclesfield who drew first blood, turning a scrum on Old Bedians’ line and touching down in the corner followed shortly after by a penalty kick after some Bedians ill discipline. First half injuries to two of Bedians’ most influential players, centre Tom Stanway and number 8 and lineout jumper Andy Medick followed, and Macclesfield scored through the middle shortly after as Bedians were still regrouping. Macclesfield grew more confident as the half drew to a close with the score 16-0. 

In the second half, Bedians were forced to try and chase the game, however both sides offered little in the way of innovation. Play was rushed and passes went to ground, and having lost the advantage in the lineout, Bedians were forced to live off scraps, and Macclefield capitalised well, waiting patiently for Bedians to make a mistake and scoring once again. Despite this, Bedians never gave up, with flanker Pete Retchen tireless in attack and defence, and winger Declan MacDuff giving a typically robust attacking performance. The front five bested the Macc scrum, with young hooker Pete Williams winning several balls against the head, but ultimately Bedians never managed to string any moves together, and did not once look like scoring. A soft try after some poor defence allowed Macclesfield’s young second row, their best player on the day, over in the corner at the end to give Macc a 26-0 lead that flattered them. Macclesfield went away well pleased with the points, but in truth this is a match both sides will be happy to forget.  

In previous weeks, Bedians could have won this match, but instead have to regroup and prepare for the visit to Caldy next week.