Bedford Preview


Michael Kirkwood
By Roth Admin
October 7 2005

Rotherham Earth Titans go into tomorrow’s game against Bedford Blues looking to build on last week’s excellent performance. Bedford are flying at the moment, just one point behind Quins at the top and Rotherham know they are in for a tough battle.

How both sides have fared so far this season

The famous slope at Goldington Road usually proves to be crucial! How many points Rotherham concede when defending uphill will determine how many points they will bring home.

If Rotherham are to get anything out of tomorrow’s game they must not concede needless penalties. Bedford’s full back Mark Harris is the leading points scorer in the division, with an excellent strike rate of over 85%.

It’s also an opportunity for the fans to re-acquaint themselves with Bedford hooker, Chris Johnson. Chris spent 4 years at Clifton Lane, skippering the side for three of those years. Chris never gave less than 100% every time he pulled on the Roth shirt and is still one of the fans all time favourites.

Rotherham make 3 changes for tomorrow’s encounter with the Blues. In come Jon Golding and Nigel Conroy for Jarleth Carey and Neil Hannah, as Andre Bester’s rotation policy continues in the front row.

In the backs see’s young Michael Kirkwood come in at scrum half for Joe Bedford who is on the bench. Joe took a nasty bang to his head in last weeks home game against Exeter and is not being risked from the start.

Overall Roth has played Bedford 10 times in the league – not counting the play-off’s - with Roth holding a 6-4 advantage. However, Rotherham will need to be at their very best to get anything out of this one!

Roth Admin Prediction: Roth by 1

 

Earth Titans:


15 Anthony Carter, 14 Dave Strettle, 13 Lodewyk Strauss 12 Lee Blackett (Capt.), 11 Gareth Brear, 10 Mike Whitehead, 9 Michael Kirkwood, 1 Jon Golding, 2 Nigel Conroy, 3 John Rawson, 4 Louis McGowan, 5 Gareth McComb, 6 Hendré Fourie, 7 Neil Cochrane, 8 Scott Donald.

Replacements: 16 Joe Bedford, 17 Greg Mitchell, 18 Jarleth Carey, 19 Neil Hannah, 20 Adam Hopcroft, 21 Rob Walton, 22 Ben Wade.

Bedford Blues:

15. Mark Harris 14. Craig Moir 13. Tom Luke 12. Matt Allen 11. Paul Kendall 10. Ali Hepher 9. Alex Page 8. Shaun Brady 7. Sacha Harding 6. Nic Strauss 5. Arthur Brenton 4. Jon Phillips 3. Soane Tonga'Uhia 2. Chris Johnson 1. Matt Volland

Replacements: 16. Joe Ross 17. John Brooks 18. Marc Comb 19. Junior Paramore 20. Chris Rainbow 21. Dom Malone 22. James Hinkins

 

How both sides have fared so far this season
Nottingham 41 28 Roth Otley 16 16 Bedford
Coventry 13 22 Roth Bedford 47 17 Doncaster
Pirates 43 13 Roth Bedford 34 13 Sedgley Pk
Roth 35 30 Plymouth L Welsh 24 40 Bedford
Roth 17 10 Exeter Bedford 31 12 Pirates

All previous League games between Roth & Bedford
Date Venue Result Roth Bedford
19-Oct-96 Away Lost 30 44
22-Mar-97 Home Lost 11 32
30-Aug-97 Away Lost 11 18
11-Apr-98 Home Won 18 17
20-Oct-01 Home Won 53 13
23-Feb-02 Away Won 36 31
22-Sep-02 Home Won 51 6
8-Mar-03 Away Won 40 13
3-Jan-05 Home Lost 24 26
12-Feb-05 Away Won 17 12

Not Including Play-off Games