Old Bedians lost a keenly contested and closely fought game, and after last weeks dismal display can take some credit knowing that despite being 17 nil down at half-time they fought back to a respectable scoreline despite their differences to the usual team sheet. The day started badly for Bedians when several players pulled out for one reason or another and with star fly half Michael Rothwell being required for 2nd team duty.

Matt Flanagan made his debut for Bedians covering admirably for Rothwell given it was his first game since recovering from a serious dislocated shoulder operation. Bedians also handed debuts to new recruits Huw Jones and Sam Golden giving the Bedian backline and international flair covering New Zealand, Wales, Ireland and England. Finally to complete a fifteen Bedians borrowed Spongebob the hooker from their opposition.

The game started badly for Bedians as Winnington Park looked to impose their obvious physical superiority and before the new Bedians 3rd team had chance to introduce themselves Winnington Park put themselves 7 – 0 up. The pack shorn of Leigh Prescott, Gaz Anderson, Arron Thomas, Al Edwards and Jim O’Neill were finding it tough going and the usual rigid defence was not holding up and charge after charge from the big Winnington Park back row was putting huge pressure on the Bede’s.

By half-time Winnington Park had scored two more tries and it looked like Bedians would be on a damage limitation exercise in the 2nd half however with re-newed vigour Bedians led in the pack by Steve Driscall seemed like they had suddenly found their footing and finally they began to show their attacking flair with Dan Gardiner and Huw Jones orchestrating the back line.

Still no tries came but when Andy Schofield had to come off with blurred vision Bedians had to go to uncontested scrums and this gave them the platform that their backs had been hoping for all day. It was however an unlikely source that provided the first try. Captain Simon Atherton scooped up a chip over by Winnington Park and went into contact and the resulting ruck provided ball that was quickly shipped along the line only to find out of place prop Sean O’Rourke on the wing. O’rourke took the ball and stormed towards the line taking a second to wrong foot the opposing wing and finally crashing through the shocked fullback.

Immediately Bedians scored again and again from an unlikely source as Bedian for the day Spongebob the hooker stormed through to place under the posts, his resulting celebration was later regretted when he was presented with a colourful concoction to drink by his Winnington Park team-mates.

Bedians carried on the charge and within 5 minutes had pulled the score back to within 5 points with a try from inside centre Dan Gardiner and suddenly there was a belief that they could go on and win it. Winnington Park realising they needed to get back in this game sought reinstate their physical presence and despite some remarkable defending from Bedians Winnington Park crashed over to extend their lead back to 12.

With minutes remaining Kiwi Sam Golden capped an impressive debut with a try but unfortunately it was too late as the score finished 29 – 22. Bedians will take heart into next weeks derby day clash with Toc H and will welcome back Michael Rothwell after Jonjo Walsh’s comedy kicking including missing from in front of the posts.

Edit - Despite Jonjo's horrendous miss(my mum could have kicked it over!) it does have to be pointed out that two of the trys were created by Jonjo's amazing vision and passing!!!

Bedians travelled to deepest darkest Buxton a much depleted side from the team that had demolished Buxton earlier in the season. Fly half Michael Rothwell and centre Dan Gardiner made a good effort at covering the scrum half position, but were up against it as the pack shorn of some key individuals was lighter than usual when against the brusiers of Buxton it needed to be heavier.

Buxton scored a try in each half both from scrum push overs and in the bogs of Buxton Bedians could not quite string enough passes together to return with scores of their own. Rob Dixon, Pete Wright and Dan Gardiner all went close but ultimately needed just one more pass which didn’t come to score.

Captain Simon Atherton finally subbed himself on for the last twenty minutes, despite recovering from food poisoning, in the hope that he could make some difference and although a thundering tackle stopped a certain try his best efforts only resulting in him firmly spitting his dummy out and booting the ball across the pitch when the referee made another horrendous decision.

The game finished Buxton 14 Old Bedians 6 as Michael Rothwell assured boot kept Bedians in touch but was ultimately not enough.

After being hammered by Bedians earlier in the season Knutsford came to Fortress Milllgate with a point to prove and Bedians despite the continued calls from Captain Simon Atherton and Vice-Captain Leigh Prescott to not underestimate the opposition duly did that. Bedians were surprised by the much improved Knutsford team and it needed a try from top-scorer Rob Dixon and a penalty from outstanding fly half Michael Rothwell to ease the pressure.

The 2nd half saw Knutsford continue to forage around the ruck and with the Knutsford scrum half in brilliant form he eventually unleashed the blindside winger to score a try under the posts. Bedians were shocked and before they knew it Knutsford had levelled with a penalty in front of the posts. Bedians continued to make hard work of the game and the usual flowing moves of the backs were not giving the success against a committed Knutsford defence.

As the half progressed Bedians edged ahead with two penalties from Michael Rothwell however fingers nails continued to be chewed on the sidelines as Knutsford continued to threaten. Bedians completed the game with a breakaway try that made the 23 – 10 result look easier than the task.

Table toppers Warrington came to fortress Bedians Saturday last looking to cement their place at the top of the table. The visitors found the going
tough early on as the Bedians coupled resolute defence with powerful attack. Owing to the conditions and the visitors negative tactics, those looking on soon realised that this wasn't going to be a spectacle.

Each breakdown was keenly contested and Steve Driscoll certainly didn't let the opponents relax. His performance was matched by hooker Dan Peak who lead by example, fronting up to the angry Warrington bruisers. Jez Connor continued to provide fine service for the backs who caused no end of problems. Indeed, these problems were turned into points midway through the first half. Ashley and Arron Thomas combined to bring the Bedes to within 5 metres of the opposition whitewash; the ball was whipped out to Steve Driscoll who, in a languid gallic style, chipped the ball over the flat defence for winger Simon Atherton to receive and mark his second try in 2 games.

The Bedes, having dominated the first half, couldn't piece together the same attacking impetus in the second and Warrington had the lion's share of
possession. The Bedes stood firm admirably, with Pete Wright and Jonjo Walsh putting in massive hits to save almost certain tries, but, despite such
efforts, the visitors were able to capitalise on Bedes' indecision late in the game. The Bedes couldn't find the momentum to win, the game spoiled by
the visitors' negative tactics and. at times, downright thuggery. Anyway, the opposition made amends by subbing one culprit.

That marks the first defeat for a while for the young bedes in a keenly contested match from which they will learn a lot. Lets get back to winning ways next week.

OLD BEDIANS 46, NORTHWICH 5.

Saturday promised a titanic battle between teams placed at 5th and 6th positions in the league, a tie made the more interesting by the fact that home side were turned over by the visitors earlier on in the season. Following kick off, history seemed to be repeating itself with the visitors making a nuisance of themselves and scoring a try.

This seemed to whip the young bedes into action. This team only knows one way and that is forward. Gary Anderson made inroads with some aggressive breaks, ably supported by muscular work from Lee Prescot. Bedians began to
take control of the set piece and the visitors buckled under the pressure with Ashley Thomas and Phil Williams giving their opposite numbers a torrid time in the "dark arts" of the scrum. Such forward domination was quickly converted into points by rapier sharp back play. Rob Dixon scored a from a typical slaloming run and Simon Atherton capped a fine first half performance with a darting break culminating in him beating 5 men before holding on for a try.

The young Bedes carried the momentum into the second half and the fine half back pairing of Jon-jo Walsh and Michael Rothwell were calling the shots. Seldom has such a fine array of attacking talents been seen on the third
team paddock: Tim Cleasby was an ideal foil for the Bedes quick, offloading tactics, providing a link between the Bedes brutal forwards and dangerous backs. A new addition to the side was Kit Firbank, who capped an excellent performance with an opportunist try. The move started with the Bedes applying pressure on the opposition scrum, Ashley Thomas, suspiciously walking the off-side tightrope, snaffled an attacker and the  ball was moved into the backs and enough space was created for the full back to ghost through the defence for a try.

The visitors battled manfully and this was always a contest but the Bedes played swift counterattacking rugby despite the conditions. Three-quarters in and the game was over, 2 tries were disallowed and the winning margin
could have been higher.

What stands out about this team is the tackle count and Pete Wright deserves a special mention. He again demolished would-be attackers with crunching tackles and attacked with finesse and slight of hand- his partnership with Rob Dixon is a source of much success for the Bedes. Something is brewing in this team; with such fine team spirit and talent, much is promised.
 

Having only narrowly lost in a friendly to Toc H 3rd's Bedians were full of confidence going into the game against Toc H 4th's. This was obvious from the off even with Bedians only managing to field fourteen players. Bedians had dropped a flanker yet the pack most notably Jim O'Neill and Leigh Prescott were at there best and were giving plenty of opportunities to the back line which included converted for the day flanker Gaz Anderson.

Bedians were quickly two tries up both coming from Daniel Davis who was making his first start after some energetic substitute appearances. Two more tries one from Rob Dixon and one from Mike Gallagher and a penalty from Michael Rothwell saw Bedians finish the half 27 nil up.

Late Arrival Dave Kay bolstered the back row to even the sides up at half time although it only lasted twenty minutes as Bedians were again reduced to 14 by unfortunate head injury. Toc H made much more of the game in the second half and their attacking presence was significantly improved by the replacement full back who seemed to appear from the 2nd team game happening on a nearby pitch.

The full back managed an early try but Bedians defensive resolve held out against further runs and this was particularly highlighted by a string of crunching tackles from captain Simon Atherton. With twenty minutes left to play Toc H began to drop there heads and Rob Dixon was able to run in two tries to score his second hatrick in two games and end the game 7 - 41.

Sandbach Put to the Sword

With pitch conditions suffering in Manchester both the 1st and 2nd team games were called off this weekend and so Old Bedians 3rd team were the only team flying the flag. As usual when games had been cancelled the 3rd Team stuck to its winning formula of players that had taken Bedians on a run of 5 wins in 6 games.

Sandbach were never going to be a match for a Bedian team in full flight and with Gaz Anderson, Ashley and Aaron Thomas bossing the rucks it was always going to be a day for the Bedian free-flowing backs. By half time Bedians had racked up seven tries, including a hatrick from brusing centre Pete Wright and a solo effort from stand-in scrum half Jonjo Walsh.

Captain Simon Atherton made a raft at changes at half time including replacing Pete Wright and the Biggest Bedian Leigh Prescott. The second half saw fewer tries as the Bedians were all succumbing to white-line fever however the constant pressure still yielded four tries with marauding outside centre Rob Dixon completing his hatrick of tries.

Bedians will be looking forward to the 2nd half of the season and if they can continue the form that seem them take 25 from 28 points it wouldn't be surprising to see them challenging Warrington and Altrincham Kersal for the promotion spots.
 

The third team travelled away to Aldwinians and with three last minute drop-outs in an already decimated team meant Bedians were struggling before the start. Flanker Ibra Ruslanovich started at scrum half and made an admirable attempt but Bedians were destined to end their winning streak as player after player fell to injury including a Aldwinians player who
generously had offered to plug a gap in Bedians 2nd row. The final score was 27 - 7 and Bedians will be hoping that injuries and the Xmas period do not damage all their good work having not lost a league game since October.
 

With four consecutive league victories putting them joint top of the leagues form table Bedians had obviously started to believe some of their own hype and a slow start against struggling Bowden was punished with a try under the posts and it was only very wayward kicking that kept the score at 5 – 0.

Michael Rothwells pin-point kicking kept Bowden back into their half and with a succession of three penalty kicks Bedians took the lead by converting two of them. With minutes to go to half-time the Bedians centre partnership of Dan Gardiner and Rob Dixon got their first real taste of action and a brilliant loop move allowed fullback Mike Gallagher to be released to score his third try in as many games and take the home side into the break 13 – 5 up.

The second half saw an improved Bedian side pressure the Bowden side into error after error which scrum half Matt Langley took advantage off with a series of quick tap penalties eventually culminating in Gary Anderson crashing through the last ditch tackles to score.

Bedians continued to turn up the heat and when Ibra Ruslanovich broke through it only needed a pop pass to captain Simon Atherton for Bede’s to score their third try but the Russian went for the line just missing however the resulting ruck produced a brilliant switch of play to the opposite wing where Mike Gallagher went over for his second try.

Bedians feeling the game had been won seemed to turn off and with only 15mins to go it seemed unlikely Bowden would make any recovery however two quick trys had Bedians biting their nails and a try just before the final whistle left the Bedians with only a 5pt winning margin and grateful to hear the final whistle.

With Old Bedians 2nd team’s game postponed Old Bedians 3rd’s were the only other team in action and despite the available 2nd team players the third team still fielded the same team that had notched up three successive league victories.

As usual Bedians were finding it difficult in the scrum as they gave away a lot of weight to the opposition but around the park the forwards were securing ball in the rucks and mauls led by the impressive Arron Thomas. This gave Bedians exciting back line the ammunition they needed to expose the Wilmslow team. By half time Bedians had put themselves 12 – 0 up through tries from Paul Robinson and Michael Hogan.

The 2nd half saw Bedians making an enforced change in their pack as one of their flankers had sustained a head injury and the resulting confusion from the kick off gave Wilmslow the space to run over a try. Bedians soon recovered and quickly responded with a sweeping move as Pete Fizon burst out of a ruck and played a perfect scissors with outside centre Dan Gardiner leaving a clear run in.

Bedians scored another try and a penalty from Michael Rothwells assured boot took the game beyond Wilmslow and the game finished 29 – 5. Old Bedians 3rd’s winning streak has made them a dominant force in Miller Homes Division 5 South and next weeks visitors Bowden will no doubt be trembling in their boots!
 

Bedes’ third team faced Didsbury Toc H’s third side in a friendly match which, with Didsbury sitting two divisions above Old Bedians, looked to be a game too far on paper for the home side as their early pressure could not crack the Toc H defence.

An early second-half try for Bedians gave them belief that they could get something out of the match and when with seven minutes to play Ibra Ruslanovich went over for a try which Michael Rothwell converted to take Bedians into a five-point lead it seemed they had succeeded

However, with five minutes to go, Toc H took advantage of a defensive mistake to score in the corner and the resulting conversion from the tightest of angles was rough justice for Bedians as the visitors went home with a two-point winning margin as they prevailed 19-17.

Old Bedians 10 Altrincham Kersal 7

 After losing to a late, controversial try at Altrincham Kersal last week, Old Bedians gained the sweetest revenge on Saturday against the same opponents. In another bruising encounter, Bedians’ skilful backplay provided a cutting edge which the visitors couldn’t match, and reinforced Simon Atherton’s team’s healthy position in mid-table.

Given the spiky approach adopted by Kersal the previous week, captain Atherton must have been disappointed when Pete Wright, his most destructive and selfless tackler, withdrew with a fractured hand. He must have been even more irked when Michael Rothwell, the tenacious fly half, turned up reeling from a heavy Friday night and took himself off before half-time. However, in a patched up midfield, Rob Dixon stood out with several thunderous tackles, and it was the converted second row who scored the hosts’ only try after a surging run midway through the first half.

 With Steve Kingston, another occasional centre, playing his heart out, and the willing Russian Ibra Ruslanovich proving a more than useful prop, Bedians never let their opponents get on top, and the early penalty sealed victory. Winning is becoming a habit for Atherton’s team, a habit they don’t want to kick anytime soon. Success is breeding confidence, and, even with a scratch team, the rabble of students and young professionals is now extremely hard to beat.

Old Bedians 3rd's 20 Heaton Moor 3rd's 5

The last time these two sides met, in April, Heaton Moor's unkindness of silver scufflers mauled Bedes into submission, winning comfortably through brutal forward power. On Saturday, the young Bedes third teamers, demonstrating their growing maturity, sprinkled a smattering of beauty on the grizzly forward battle to score three excellent tries and gain sweet revenge with their third win of the season.

Bedes' entry into league rugby has been illuminated by adventurous back play, and yesterday they stuck true to the club's tradition of audacious flowing rugby. Experienced fullback Lawrie Dummett encapsulated this spirit to score the first try after delicate handling across the backline, and then fly half Michael Rothwell scored the cheekiest of tries early in the second half, chipping over the rushing Moor defence to touch down with ease. Although Moor clawed a try back in the closing stages, the result was put beyond doubt when some surging play in forwards was rewarded with a try.

In a team which featured 11 players aged 22 or younger, centre Pete Wright embellished his reputation for bone-jarring defence with a series of furious tackles, and, when he had the ball in his hands, linked intuitively with Irish law student Dan Gardiner to rip holes in the visitors' midfield. Ibra, the Russian convert from rugby league, was as energetic as ever, sharing the man of the match award with Michael Rothwell, whose authority increases by the week. Andrew Schofield, the Wythenshawe warrior, again outmuscled a far older opponent in the front row, and Ashley Thomas, the laid-back genius of the second row, displayed the sort of handling ability which would embarrass many backs.

But, as captain Simon Atherton would no doubt agree, it's a team game, and Bedes are thriving through teamwork more than any individual brilliance. More and more young players are now flocking to the club, to sample a cocktail of flowing rugby which is leaving unsuspecting opponents punch drunk. Long may it continue.

Warrington 25 Old Bedians 8

 Another week, another lesson for Old Bedians’ young forwards, who on Saturday received their latest torrid lesson in the school of hard knocks, but showed grit and bravery to give their bruising hosts a real scare.

Under constant pressure at scrums and lineouts, the Bedes pack were never able to give their backs time on the ball, but by competing manfully at every tackle and throwing themselves at Warrington the attackers, they managed to prevent the massive home team from turning their superiority into points.

Indeed, when second row Rob Dixon brought Bedes back into the game with a scrappy try early in the second half, there seemed a real chance of a major upset. Warrington were not to be denied, however, and pulled clear in the last twenty minutes with two excellent scores, with Bedes defenders beginning to succumb to injury and fatigue after an afternoon of brutal combat.

Pete Wright, whose bullish runs and kamikaze tackling were a constant source of inspiration, went down on several occasions, yet somehow picked himself up on each occasion. Young prop Andy Schofield, typifying the Bedes spirit, had to be almost dragged from the pitch after hurtling into breakdowns all afternoon. Scrum half Matt Langley, playing with a busted thumb, continued to impress with clever kicks and sharp passing. Leigh Prescott, who fortunately doesn’t feel pain, kept spirits high with spirited cockney patter, even with his team started dropping like flies in the closing stages.

If Bedes can play like this without a string of key players, one can only imagine how good they’ll be when the absent stars return on Saturday.

Brave Bedes bloodied by neighbours from hell

After last week’s stroll in the Knutsford suburbs, Old Bedians were brought down to earth with the full force of Burnage fists on Saturday losing 15 - 3. Under-strength on paper and under siege in the forwards, Bedes’ young team did well to keep this local derby close until the end.

From the kick-off, the gargantuan pack sought to bully their hosts at every opportunity, and dealt Bedes’ impertinent young forwards plenty of digs and clouts when the ref’s back was turned. With their scrum going backwards and the line-out misfiring as usual, Bedes were rarely able to string any passes together. Not for the first time, the hosts were indebted to fly half Michael Rothwell, whose sweet left foot bailed out the embattled Bede’s forwards on numerous occasions.

Despite Rothwell’s first half penalty, Burnage were never going to lose this game, and duly asserted their superiority with two good tries. Bedes, however, can take heart from the fact that, missing a string of imposing players, they were able to keep the Burnage bruisers from wreaking havoc and turning their power into points.

Knutsford 0 Old Bedians 65 

As a club which opens its doors to Manchester’s Unversty students, Old Bedians are traditionally a far more dangerous proposition once the winter term begins. So it proved here, with the students who inspired Bedians to victory over Buxton last week coming to the fore once again, and running Knutsford’s bankers and barristers into their manicured turf. 

For the second week in succession Bedians managed to nil their opponents, the youngsters’ defence becoming more aggressive with each passing week. The shaven-headed Pete Wright, making his Bedians debut, made several crunching tackles in the centre, and Declan Sealy, the home economics teacher from Ireland, was always on hand to guide his young backs through Knutsford’s more dangerous attacks. Paul Robinson found space on several occasions and number eight Gary Anderson contributed his usual feisty performance. 

But the undoubted star was fly half Michael Rothwell who contributed thirty points, including two excellent tries, and set up a try for Anderson with a burst from his own half. Scrum half Jonjo Walsh added his own individual score, and full back Liam Connolly, playing his last game for Bedians, scored a stylish try to complete the rout.

Old Bedians 3rd XV 35 Buxton 3^rd XV 0 

Having been blighted by injury and illness, hamstrings and hangovers during the first three weeks of the season, Old Bedians 3^rd XV finally returned to full strength on Saturday, and gained their first win in league rugby with a convincing 35-0 win over Buxton. 

Starting with 12 players under the age of 25, Bedians, predictably, struggled in the scrums and lineouts against the weight of their older and heavier opponents. However, when the ball was retrieved from the scrappy forward scuffle, the home side’s ambitious backs were able to string passes together with ease. Paul Robinson and Liam Connolly made several half-breaks, and inside centre Matt Cockman, returning from University vacation, capitalised on the yawning gaps they created to score four tries. 

After wrong-footing the Buxton defence with a nimble change of direction to open the scoring after 20 minutes, Cockman reinforced the hosts’ lead just before half-time, sweeping in to collect from a ruck and slaloming past several would-be tacklers. With Gary Anderson making several determined carries from the back row, and Ashley Thomas showing his full range of skills, Bedians’ confident youngsters soon had Buxton’s balding battlers gasping for breath. 

Ten minutes after the break Cockman completed his hat-trick, finishing off some surging interplay from the Bedians forwards, and the stocky midfielder added a fourth soon after, with Buxton’s defenders rapidly losing heart. Robinson, given a chasm to run into, added the fifth try on the hour, before the game wound down with a swarm of substitutions. 

Bedians captain Simon Atherton, whose team had lost each of its first three matches, said afterwards: “Having only just joined the league, and had to get used to the idea of playing bigger and stronger teams, I thought the team showed bravery and confidence today.