Bedford see the blues in nailbiting finish

I decided to get there early tonight as I enjoy seeing the guys warming up prior to the big event. So, sitting there high up in my pre match West Stand perch with a pie and a pint(I watch the game in the South Stand, incidentally), my first observation was seeing the whole of the Bedford squad assembled alone in the centre of the pitch, taking it all in before going to the dressing room to change. Almost like a cup final team drinking in the atmosphere prior to kick off. I wondered what game plan they were considering as they spied the then empty stands of Kingston Park. It was soon to become obvious.

I retired to the bar for replenishment, and enjoyed chatting to the parents of the Bedford No 4. They were predicting a close encounter, and also thought the play offs were a farce. I also managed to spend a couple of minutes talking to Chris Pilgrim, who was very positive about his rehabilitation. We certainly need him back as soon as possible as Rory Lawson’s delivery pass seems to get slower by the game.

Anyway, I duly took my place amongst the South Stand faithful and waited for the kick off with excited anticipation. Within a minute an obvious late tackle, almost a cheap shot, after a clearance kick by Jimmy Gopperth, was missed by both referee and East Stand touch judge. To exacerbate matters, almost immediately afterwards, Will  Welch was penalised for a similar, but borderline offense, which was despatched efficiently by the Bedford No 10, and gave them the early initiative and a 3-0 lead. I checked to see the clock at the North Stand end, but it remained fixed on 00, as it did so for the remainder of the match, blinking helplessly like a myopic grandfather. Perhaps it knew how important a factor time would play at the other end of the game.

I really hate criticising referees, but this did not augur well, and  as the game unfolded, I believe the arbiter’s poor showing was equally detrimental to both sides and to the game as a whole. His diminutive stature amongst Titans probably did not help,  but did he have to imitate Jimmy Clitheroe in all aspects of his performance? Anyway, enough said, except to reiterate that he seemed not to be in control, hence the “handbag” sessions and the 28 man brawl later on. This was not to detract from Bedford’s game plan, which they executed well. They kicked well, maintained territory domination for the next 15 minutes or so, and had it not been for the outstanding work of Macleod in the lineouts, would have also dominated possession. His  was  a masterclass on the night, and along with Helleur, was my MOM.

The Falcons started to exert some pressure on the Blues and spent a few minutes close to their tryline, but were unable to capitalise before a Bedford defensive kick almost to the Falcons 22 relieved the pressure. Falcons were awarded a penalty almost on halfway and to the left of the posts. I thought this was at the limit of Jimmy’s range, and from way back in the SS it looked to miss left and short. Bedford, kicking so much better than us,  eventually took advantage of their  clever play by scoring an excellent drop goal from a not inconsiderable distance. 6-0, and the murmurs of discontent starting to emanate from around me.

The half was nearing its conclusion when the referee gave us a long range penalty out on the right. At least this will help redress the balance, I thought, but what ensued was somewhat farcical. Gopperth’s kick struck not only the left hand post, but  then the crossbar and right hand post. Helleur, like all good backs, had followed up the kick and was the first on hand to touch down. A simple conversion followed, and the Falcons left the field, lucky to be ahead 7-6 at the break, and all of the 3,967 onlookers knew it.

The Falcons, buoyed  by their stroke of luck, started the second period in a positive frame of mind. They soon had a penalty about 35 metres out, and it would normally have been food and drink for Jimmy, but he pulled it just wide of the left hand upright.

Tomo sustained an injury and a loud cheer welcomed the return of Kieran Brookes to the fray. What followed was an attritional period of kicking with Bedford’s attempts much more effective than ours. To be honest our efforts were aimless and poor, and I have to say that Gopperth had his worst game I have seen in a long time. When we did get ball at the breakdown, Lawson’s delivery was too slow.  I’ve watched Pasqualin a couple of times at Blaydon, and I’m always amazed that he doesn’t get more opportunities, but what do I know?

This somewhat sterile period of play was truncated by a massive brawl out on the West Stand touchline. I didn’t see how it started, but was surprised when both Gopperth and one of the smaller Bedford players got their yellow cards with a kickable penalty  going the way of the visitors. The efficient Dorian edged  Bedford back into the lead at 9-7.

Still no worries yet until minutes later Hogg went the same way for an off the ball incident. 13 v 14 now and holes starting to appear in the Falcons defense. The tall  Atkinson pushed Bedford further ahead with another audacious drop goal from about 40 metres to extend their lead to 12-7.

Our only riposte was to initiate an aimless kickfest, but I did admire Catterick for somewhat controversially  making the mark twice in order to allow the Falcons’ depleted ranks time to regroup. Gopperth returned along with 3 changes. We needed a superhuman effort here, but the strategy was immediately thwarted by another Bedford penalty to take them two scores ahead at 15-7.

Slowly we edged back into the game. The South Stand was in full vocal support, drowning out  the commendable efforts of a small Bedford contingent. A Bedford player was sin binned for deliberate obstruction and Gopperth’s simple penalty from in front got us back to within 5 points. Back to 15 aside now, the Falcons stalked the Bedford try line, but despite gargantuan efforts were unable capitalise on the one man advantage. We spurned opportunities, and with  the clock(if it worked) running well into overtime, it seemed that it would be too late, before, at the 11th hour, Gopperth  released Cato, now devoid of his trademark locks, to scramble through to the line. The crowd’s hysterical euphoria was in stark contrast to the Bedford players’ abject disappointment. The conversion was in no way a formality, but all his kicking aberrations were forgiven as Jimmy calmly slotted the 2 points, which eventually gave the Newcastle team a very welcome, but somewhat Pyrrhic victory.

So, unbeaten run intact, but only just. Well done to Bedford. An undeserved loss, but a signal to all that anything is possible in the play offs.