After a long, hot summer, boys returned to school chomping at the bit to get out on the rugby pitches. For some of our new Fourth Formers, this would be the first time stepping out to play for Bedford School and there were nerves, as well as much excitement, in the air.
The season has had a very encouraging start, with some real stand-out performances as well as an U18 England selection. Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, who as a Lower Sixth Former plays a year up, was invited to join the England Development Training Squad as they prepare for several tournaments in the lead-up to the U18 Six Nations Festival next year. Aiden has already attended one of the training camps which he said, “went very well”.
Oundle School
After a unanimous decision taken by all schools involved, playing fixtures on Saturday 10 September allowed boys and their families to unite during this period of national mourning and respectfully pay tribute to the late Queen.
All Fourth Form boys who were fit to play had their first competitive fixture for the school as we welcomed Oundle School for ‘training games’. The game laws were conditioned appropriately to the level of knowledge and experience of the players, so all matches were competitive and purposeful. Along with gaining points for scoring tries, points were also awarded for positive play and good decision-making.
The remaining matches at U15, U16 and U18 were very positive, with all but one ending in victory. The U16B team demonstrated great resilience to close their game out with a 5-0 win. The 1st XV had a very fast-paced start to the game with the ball moving quickly around the pitch. They created plenty of space and opportunities and scored some scintillating tries. They also demonstrated a gritty and committed defence, which prevented the opposition from scoring any points. Ultimately, score-lines aside, the games were played in good spirit; it was a good day for the Rugby Club and the school.
Radley College
As a full boarding school, Radley College always provide a tough test. Radley could boast the balance of victories in this fixture; however, we made them fight for their wins and never lost heart or will. It was fantastic to have all Fourth Form boys involved in another fixture for the school with this year group putting out eight teams in total.
The U15 A and B teams continued their strong start to the campaign and remained unbeaten. The U16s game was another nail-biter, in which they showed resilience to hold out an equally committed opposition. The 1st XV upped their game from the previous week and were far livelier in defence, giving the opposition little opportunity to break through. A little lapse in discipline allowed Radley to go to their power game and they scored from two driving lineouts. However, it was the Bedford XV that dominated much of the game with a high energy and skill level, scoring several well worked tries.
Rugby School
There was plenty of success to cheer against Rugby School in a fixture that is always highly competitive.
The ebb and flow of the 1st XV game made for an exciting first game of the season on home soil. They were defending an unbeaten home record stretching back to 2019. Having been beaten by over 50 points away last season, the 1st XV had a point to prove. They looked like they had chalked up an unlikely victory but, unfortunately, fatigue set in and Rugby squeaked into the corner in the dying seconds of the game to level it 29-all. A thrilling encounter, which was watched by many Old Bedfordians. They would have witnessed one of the tries of the season scored by Ben Agbenu, who hit a fabulous line to scythe through the defence before rounding the cover defence and full back to score in the corner.
There wasn’t a single loss in all the other age groups, which should bring confidence to all the teams as they take on more tough opposition in the coming weeks.
