Stylish Blues smash big six with brace from supersub Fields

BEDFORD secured a dominant six-try victory on their return to Goldington Road to move up to sixth in the table.

Early tries from Pat Tapley, Rich Lane and Oli Robinson gave them a commanding lead, but Myles Scott struck back for Richmond just before the break.

Bedford pulled clear in the second half following a quick Josh Gillespie score and a Jacob Fields brace.

In ideal conditions for running rugby, both sides showed ambition early on and, after numerous line breaks, Bedford eventually got the opener. In-form winger Tapley added to his score against Saracens last weekend by dotting down in the corner following a quick tap penalty.

A Ted Landray penalty reduced the deficit but Bedford answered back immediately as captain Lane broke free and rounded Luc Jones to score.

Having scored two early tries through freeflowing attacks, Bedford’s third was less flashy. Winning a penalty on halfway, Will Maisey found touch deep inside Richmond’s 22.

An effective maul went to ground just short of the try line, but after several phases Ealing loanee Oli Robinson muscled over from a few metres out.

Richmond mounted their first real attack in the 35 minute and soon Bedford’s Oli Curry was sent to the bin for failing to roll away just metres from the Blues line.

With the man advantage, Richmond remained patient and as the clock ticked into the red, Myles Scott finally powered over from close range.

After the break, Bedford remained faithful to their attacking style despite being a man down. Although they failed to convert an early Tapley line break, Gillespie picked a great line and bagged the bonus point at the start of the second half.

With a sizeable lead, Bedford rung the changes and replacement hooker Fields went over, following an armchair ride at the back of a purposeful Blues rolling maul.

Although Richmond kept attacking well, mistakes hampered them throughout the contest and they looked powerless to stop Bedford as the second half wore on.

Another rolling maul saw Fields grab his second to cap an emphatic performance while Lewis Dennett was in the bin for a tip tackle.