Blues blow late chance to steal win at the death

BEDFORD blew a great chance at the death to take the spoils in their final home league game of the season under the Friday night lights against their old rivals.

As the tension built in the final minutes, fullback Matt Worley broke through the defence and offloaded to second row Jordan Onojaife who threw a wayward pass out to the wing and Dean Adamson could not retrieve it with the try line in his sights.

Cov held on for victory to move up to eight in the table.

Blues assistant coach, Jake Sharp said: “We let ourselves down a bit. Inaccuracy, ill-disciplined; all of the stuff we can control and we gave Coventry enough chances.”

The away side took the lead with a penalty try after nine minutes and with Luke Frost in the sin bin as a result, it was the worst possible start for the Blues.

The opening moments had been characterised by sloppy handling errors from the Blues; first Worley and then Pat Tapley gifting Coventry territory that the visitors took full advantage of.

Louis Grimoldby got Bedford on the board, and it was only stubborn defence that stopped Cov increasing their lead, as they were held up twice on the try line.

Coventry were battering the Blues, until a miraculous escape led to a cross-field kick to Adamson who dipped one way then the other to sprint in under the posts to give Bedford an unlikely 10-7 half-time lead. Bedford’s chances were few but were finished with aplomb as Coventry must have felt disappointed to go into the break behind.

It didn’t take long for Coventry to restart their siege in the second half, as they seized a lineout and sheer numbers hauled them over the try line with hooker, Jordan Poole touching down to restore their lead.

The rare moments the Blues did escape their own half however were met with exuberance and fervour by Mike Rayer’s side and the few moments they were able to create a chance, they were able to capitalise.

A good move from one side of the pitch to the other was finished off by Worley on the hour mark as Bedford regained a slender lead.

However, Coventry hit back immediately with a penalty from Toby Fenner to retake a 17-15 lead and to set up yet another tight finish to a Goldington Road affair.