Lots to Cheer
By Blues Brother
May 4 2021
By all accounts Mike Rayer has lots of reasons to be positive after Blues went down 27-19 at Donnie Knights - four tries to 3. Unfortunately, a wayward broadband connection meant that this supporter could not follow the live stream. Incidentally, one hopes that one positive from Covid is that away games will continue to be accessed by live streaming. The quality and value is excellent and seems to have spurned a new industry for small servicer providers and another cash stream for home clubs.
The official site has an excellent match report and for the record:
Doncaster: 15. Billy McBryde, 14. Kyle Evans, 13. Charlie Foley, 12. Connor Edwards , 11. Howard Packman, 10. Sam Olver, 9. James Mitchell ; 1. Conrad Cade, 2. Will Holling, 3. Gaz Denman), 4. Matt Challinor (Capt) , 5. Jerry Sexton, 6. Conor Joyce , 7. Sam Graham, 8. Guido Volpi.
Reps:16. George Roberts, 17. Josh Pieterse, 18. Joe Jones , 19. Will Britton, 20. Jack Rouse, 211. Gus Warr , 22. James Newey, 23. Jack Davies)
Tries: McBryde (2), Challinor, Holling.
Cons: Olver (2).
Pens: Olver (1)
Blues: 15. Rich Lane (Capt), 14. Josh Gillespie 13. Tom Litchfield, 12. Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas , 11. Pat Tapley, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Connor Tupai; 1. Joe Wrafter , 2. Jacob Fields , 3. Henry Paul, 4. Will Carrick Smith, 5. Lewis Bean , 6. Ollie Newman, 7. Joe Atkinson, 8. Oli Robinson.
Reps: 16. Jack Hughes 17. Emmanuel Iyogun , 18. Ed Prowse , 19. Jordan Onojaife, 20. Tui Uru , 21. Ewan Fenley, 22. Ethan Grayson , 23. Andre Robson.
Tries: Robinson, Gillespie, Newman
Cons: Maisey (2)
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I put it on record that I am a season ticket holder and get down to home games. However, there are some who are unable to see home games in the flesh as it were because of illness, distance from ground and a myriad of other reasons. In addition to extending streaming to include future away matches, perhaps the club should also consider streaming home matches.
I recognise the arguments that might be put forward regarding the impact that streaming might have on home crowd attendance but much the same one was used concerning televising football games and later premiereship rugby games. The impact on attendance was negligible. It may provide an opportunity for possible new supporters who've seen the Bedford brand streamed and head on down to experience the atmosphere and watch rugby live.
The only concern is the fan base we take to other clubs if broadcasting of the matches arrives, would our travelling support opt to stay at home. We do I am sure on occasions make the visit of Bedford the one game where a club generates an substantial increased match day income.
I believe the Blues home crowd will not be too affected as its the 'Bedford crowd' experience which makes the home games special, as we have seen mentioned on here by visiting away fans and the wider media.
A possible solution is a limit on the number of streaming tickets sold which could be on a sliding scale, increasing as more home tickets are purchased. I am sure the club are actively working on the best solution, especially for far flung and non uk supporters, as it is another income stream for the club.