Old Bedians 2nd XV Win!

Old Bedians first game of 2023/24 was a win at home to Oldham. Ending a long losing streak going back to November 2022. Some Bedians have been with the club for a year now and never won a game in a blue shirt, thankfully that is now over.

Bedians ran the game from the off, starting strongly controlling the pace of the game and winning collisions. However after 10 minutes and in their first foray into Bedians 22 Oldham scored the games first try. Talk behind the posts was about trusting how we had played so far and just a small amount of extra effort and organisation would reap rewards.

The tries started to come from then on in, with the forwards disrupting opposition line out, dominating the scrum and winning clean ball the backs had plenty of space to exploit.

Once the first try had come Bedians never looked like relinquishing the lead. Make no mistakes this was an incredibly well rounded 2s performance. Everyone stepped up and played their part.

I could genuinely write a whole paragraph on every player that graced the blue shirt with their presence, I'll try and keep it brief and just focus on a few players.

Alex Whyte at 10 played with control, intelligence, occasional pace and excellent defence. While it hurts to say, as he is one of natures numptys, he had a standout game. With fatherhood imminent everyone at Bedians wishes Steph and him well.

Paddy Hamlyn is quite frankly a nutcase, he plays rugby like a man possessed and was everywhere yesterday. Not only is he an excellent player he is a valuable member of the pitch maintenance group, volunteering to mark the pitches before yesterdays match. What a guy.

Usually debutantes can go unnoticed. Not yesterday.

Dan Thomas was an excellent flanker all game, real menace in defence and making some great ground in attack. Having only arrived at Bedians the Wednesday before we hope he had fun, he is definitely a valuable addition to the club.

Cameron Hesk has been at the club for several years as part of the junior set up, yesterday was his first foray into senior rugby in the key position of inside centre. He mixed it up with the best of them showing brilliant defence and really growing into the attack in the second half. This could be an exciting year for Cam.

The other centre was another debutant, having been part of the junior set up too 2nd generation Bedians Conn O'Neill showed real tenacity in defence and like Cam grew into attack in the second half. This could be a real centre partnership for Bedians. Conn also provided my personal stand out moment of the game. Setting up his Dad, Jim O'Neill, for a try in the corner. Jim has been retired from rugby for 5 years now but was coach for all the juniors coming through this year and wanted a final foray into rugby. What a day to remember, this will be mentioned at O'Neill Sunday dinners for years to come.

What a day to remember, brilliant Bedians performance. Chuffed to bits by it all.