■By TOM CARR

THE BLUESwelcomed topof- the-table Newcastle Falcons to Goldington Road in a repeat of the 2013 Championship final.
In a fairly tidy opening for both sides, the Falcons were the first to smell the try line, with winger Adam Radwan inches away from touching down after a speculative kick forward.
The first points came with nearly a quarter of the game gone; Bedford deservedly taking the lead with a simple penalty from American international Will Hooley.
Any hint of a Newcastle response was scarce with the Bedford defence holding firm whenever the Falcons made it into thei...