Hartpury v Blues
By TryBlues
January 25 2026
Blues face Hartpury having beat them 38-30 leaving Hartpury with 0 points. From memory we went behind by quite a bit before waking up and then the win was never in doubt!
Blues won't be able to start slow though in the away fixture. Hartpury looked very good against Worcester and it will be one of those games where who has more of the ball will get more tries and win. Hartpury's scrum was also better than Worcesters, but it didn't seem to demolish it as much as we did, but we should be evenly matched.
I would like to see Lennon start to inject pace into the game, with Day come on at the end to see us out. If everyone is fit, Ward appeared to come off with an HIA I think the team will be very similar to that of the Coventry game.
Only changes I see are, Conway and Herman perhaps starting. With the 6 Nations Brown may be called back which would see Slyvester start I would think.
Hartpury v Blues
Posted by: Blues Brothers (IP Logged)
Date: 25/01/2026 00:12
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Re: Hartpury v Blues
Posted by: Bond Holder (IP Logged)
Date: 26/01/2026 14:40
Watched their game against Worcester and tidy team, with a consistent kicker.
They were hanging on second half, but we won’t underestimate them.
Both missing key players I suspect given HIA, new and outstanding injuries. Bench may be key?
They were hanging on second half, but we won’t underestimate them.
Both missing key players I suspect given HIA, new and outstanding injuries. Bench may be key?
Re: Hartpury v Blues
Posted by: compo simonite (IP Logged)
Date: 29/01/2026 17:16
There are a couple of intresting games this weekend firstly there is our game against Hartpury, who will be keen following their win over Worcester last weekend.
The Blues will be equally keen following there fight back in last weekend's game against Coventry.
It will equally as tougher game as last weeks tussle and as wet and cold, but in my humble opinion another Bedford win, if we can avoid giving away too many penalties as mentioned by Bond Holder they have a consistent kicker.
The other game of interest to the Blues are next Fridays opponents Ampthill who face Worcester and I predict a close game even a win for the home side.
An interesting weekend to those going wrap up warm and enjoy.
The Blues will be equally keen following there fight back in last weekend's game against Coventry.
It will equally as tougher game as last weeks tussle and as wet and cold, but in my humble opinion another Bedford win, if we can avoid giving away too many penalties as mentioned by Bond Holder they have a consistent kicker.
The other game of interest to the Blues are next Fridays opponents Ampthill who face Worcester and I predict a close game even a win for the home side.
An interesting weekend to those going wrap up warm and enjoy.
Re: Hartpury v Blues
Posted by: TryBlues (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2026 13:52
Good to see Sylvester start, although shame about Uru. Haven’t looked Bennett up but Ward is a big loss as I think he gives us a lot of scrum power like Carrick-Smith.
Will be interesting how Hill goes in a potentially open game/
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. George Worth, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Joe Hill, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Jamie Jack, 2. James Fish, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Ilan Evans, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Fyn Brown, 7. Kayde Sylvester, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Tommy Herman, 17. Joey Conway, 18. Monty Royston, 19. James Bennett (Blues Brother #3858), 20. Archie Appleby, 21. Nicholas Finch, 22. James Lennon, 23. Tom Price
Unavailable for selection this week:
Rory Ward, Tui Uru, Ryan Hutler, Dean Adamson, Rafe Witheat
Will be interesting how Hill goes in a potentially open game/
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. George Worth, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Joe Hill, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Jamie Jack, 2. James Fish, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Ilan Evans, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Fyn Brown, 7. Kayde Sylvester, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Tommy Herman, 17. Joey Conway, 18. Monty Royston, 19. James Bennett (Blues Brother #3858), 20. Archie Appleby, 21. Nicholas Finch, 22. James Lennon, 23. Tom Price
Unavailable for selection this week:
Rory Ward, Tui Uru, Ryan Hutler, Dean Adamson, Rafe Witheat
Re: Hartpury v Blues
Posted by: compo simonite (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2026 15:09
Great to see Sylvester has been given the chance of eighty minutes play, he should cause problems with their lineouts.
James Bennett (Blues Brother #3858) is unknown quantity, but if Mike Rayer says he's ok that's fine me
Any other comments from the numerous visitors to the site would be helpful.
James Bennett (Blues Brother #3858) is unknown quantity, but if Mike Rayer says he's ok that's fine me
Any other comments from the numerous visitors to the site would be helpful.
Re: Hartpury v Blues
Posted by: Bond Holder (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2026 17:04
It will be tough without both starter wingers, but not impossible.
They also have some key absentees.
Come on you Blues.
They also have some key absentees.
Come on you Blues.
Re: Hartpury v Blues
Posted by: Scrumpy Half (IP Logged)
Date: 31/01/2026 21:13
Bennett who plays for Lboro Uni has guested for Saints in a couple Cup games this season and looked decent
Re: Hartpury v Blues
Posted by: Bluesman23 (IP Logged)
Date: 31/01/2026 23:30
To be fair, I thought Bennett looked decent when he came on. As did the emergency prop. Fish failed his HIA so we’re also going to need an emergency hooker next week.
Game turned on Herman penalty/yellow card just as we had withstood a huge amount of Hartpury pressure. It was always going to be an uphill battle from there as we were always going to lose an extra player at the next scrum. Attack looked blunt all game. Gifted Hartpury a try in the first couple of minutes which ultimately proved the difference. Tuilagi was excellent and Sylvester was dominating the lineout until he came off. Joe Hill had some good moments.
2 losses in our last 3 games and now in danger of slipping down the table. Still have to play Doncaster away before a run of “easier” games. Away form needs to improve.
Game turned on Herman penalty/yellow card just as we had withstood a huge amount of Hartpury pressure. It was always going to be an uphill battle from there as we were always going to lose an extra player at the next scrum. Attack looked blunt all game. Gifted Hartpury a try in the first couple of minutes which ultimately proved the difference. Tuilagi was excellent and Sylvester was dominating the lineout until he came off. Joe Hill had some good moments.
2 losses in our last 3 games and now in danger of slipping down the table. Still have to play Doncaster away before a run of “easier” games. Away form needs to improve.
Re: Hartpury v Blues
Posted by: compo simonite (IP Logged)
Date: 01/02/2026 09:04
Many thanks for the postings so far great to see others views on the game, with only the local press reports to go on every contribution helps fill in the gaps.
The game it seemed to swing on the penalties (as I predicted) and the cards.
We came out with a point (valuable)
with Ampthill visiting on Friday and injury problems Mike Rayer has his hands full.
Great to hear that Sylvester and Bennett performed well, so its another day tomorrow (as mum would tell me) Ampthill under the lights on Friday arrive early and bring your voices and get behind the boys in Blue!
The game it seemed to swing on the penalties (as I predicted) and the cards.
We came out with a point (valuable)
with Ampthill visiting on Friday and injury problems Mike Rayer has his hands full.
Great to hear that Sylvester and Bennett performed well, so its another day tomorrow (as mum would tell me) Ampthill under the lights on Friday arrive early and bring your voices and get behind the boys in Blue!
Re: Hartpury v Blues
Posted by: compo simonite (IP Logged)
Date: 01/02/2026 17:05
There are highlights of several of the weekend's matches on YouTube, including the Blues game.
Re: Hartpury v Blues
Posted by: TryBlues (IP Logged)
Date: 01/02/2026 19:35
Hartpury should have had a yellow early in the game when we were on their line and potentially even a penalty try awarded against them.
However he has happy to bin 2 of out players later in the half.
We appeared to have the better of the game generally but 2 bad lineouts cost us and struggling to break their defence.
However he has happy to bin 2 of out players later in the half.
We appeared to have the better of the game generally but 2 bad lineouts cost us and struggling to break their defence.
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