Matavesi in time to put Blues back on course

■By MICK JACOBS

Bedford ………….35pts

Tries: Titherington 13, Day 23, 35; Howard 58, Matavesi 75

Conversions: Maisey 14, 24, 36, 59, 76

Hartpury …………32pts

Tries: Short 3, Holiday 18, A Benz-Salomon 33, Smith 40

Conversions: Bazalgette 4, 19, 40

Penalties: Bazalgette 44, 61

BEDFORD Blues used their get out of jail free card to overcome an almighty scare from Hartpury University at Goldington Road.

It was a complete back and forth contest in which both sides took the lead several times.

But it was Bedford who won the chess battle with a bit of late flair in the closing stages as Joel Matavesi, below, completed a superb 50m launch from a lineout on halfway.

Bedford forwards coach Tom Cruse said: “I didn’t think I’d be talking about winning with five minutes to go but the important thing is that we found a way to win it at the end.

“We showed a good bit of bottle and put a launch on them to get the score. A massive defensive effort at the end there to get us over the line.

“But you only have to look at the score to see there’s frustrations, we weren’t at the races in the first half, so plenty to get stuck into next week.

“I’m hoping this win sparks us into life as we’re still finding ourselves as a group. Early on the season, you just need to find a few results to get the momentum going so hopefully this can be a springboard.”

Hartpury, as they did on this ground 12 months ago, came out of the traps with the best intent but could never really build up ahead of steam in terms of the scoreboard with Bedford constantly throwing counter punches in a topsy turvy opening 40 minutes.

It was 26-21 at the break in favour of the visitors after tries from Harry Short, Ollie Holiday, Aristot Benz-Salomon and Robbie Smith wrapped up the try bonus.

Bedford made three entries into the Hartpury 22m and they scored from each one of them, Alex Day with a real captain’s contribution to get two while Lucas Titherington dotted down a first in club colours.

Penalties from Harry Bazalgette allowed Hartpury to keep their noses in-front throughout the second half.

Former Hartpury captain Joe Howard, on his return from injury, kept it a one score game with a smart maul try.

That set the stage for the grandest of finales and Bedford finally put together an attack they are so often renowned for to snatch all five points at the death.