Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
By TryBlues
December 21 2025
Firstly, Merry Christmas to the Blues (and opposition fans) who read this. Blues (2nd) v Richmond (12) is clearly an easy game... is what one would think after the Worcester performance. However, as we know from Richmond's time here before, it is never an easy game against a well drilled outfit with some attacking threats. Last time they were in the Champ, they had a good defence and for a team sitting so low with just 3 wins, they have only conceeded 21 points more than Blues!
Will we see Luke Frost against us and a thorn in our side, as some Blues fans feel he could be?
With a big crowd to back the Blues, I am expecting a win with 5 points, but we will probably be made to work for it, with some squad rotation after a couple of bruising encounters with Pirates and Worcester with half an eye on a difficult trip to Chinnor.
I think Tuilagi will be rested/on the bench, as he faced a late fitness test before Worcester, so Sylvester or Finch may come in or both if Brown isn't availble. Ward also took a knock to his shoulder so perhaps Evans maybe come back in. I think I'd start Tonga'uiha and Herman with Fish and Heffernan on the bench.
Oh before yesterday Blues had the 2nd best lineout with 85.1% success I think I heard on the playback on Clubber.
In the backs I think Price should start, with Lennon. I'd also give Hill another run. Worth came off at half time with a leg strain, so we may keep the same centre partnerships.
One thing we could see, is a Price 10 and Maisey 12 partnership.
I therefore think we will have a packed bench ready to bring on if required. Having said all this I see after Chinnor we have a 3 week break to Coventry at home on the 24th.
Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: Blues Brothers (IP Logged)
Date: 21/12/2025 22:40
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Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: Bluesman23 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/12/2025 10:07
I’m not sure we’ll see mass rotation after we nearly lost against Cambridge. Like you say, there’s a big gap after Chinnor. Hutler will come in for Worth if he’s injured. I’d give Lennon and Sylvester starts but wouldn’t change much else.
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: compo simonite (IP Logged)
Date: 22/12/2025 13:00
This is not going to be an easy game for Bedford, although I suspect we will bag five points by the final whistle.
Richmond always give us a hard game, they earned their place in this league by promotion at the end of 24/25 season, and we can expect a few travelling fans to brighten up the ground with traditional hooped shirts.
Team I agree with Bluesman23 regarding Sylvester otherwise no changes....
Its always risky forecasting non Blues games but on Saturday Chinnor go to Worcester and I suspect Chinnor might run the Warriors close.....
Happy Christmas everyone don't forget to tell your friends and family about posting on here next year......
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:12:22:14:10:16 by compo simonite.
Richmond always give us a hard game, they earned their place in this league by promotion at the end of 24/25 season, and we can expect a few travelling fans to brighten up the ground with traditional hooped shirts.
Team I agree with Bluesman23 regarding Sylvester otherwise no changes....
Its always risky forecasting non Blues games but on Saturday Chinnor go to Worcester and I suspect Chinnor might run the Warriors close.....
Happy Christmas everyone don't forget to tell your friends and family about posting on here next year......
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:12:22:14:10:16 by compo simonite.
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: BedfordBlue9 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/12/2025 18:11
Agree, we should go full strength for the next two matches, when theres a fortnight off to repair, recharge etc.
Happy to see Jiffy and Kayde have a game this Boxing Day too.
Happy to see Jiffy and Kayde have a game this Boxing Day too.
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: TryBlues (IP Logged)
Date: 24/12/2025 12:31
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Ryan Hutler, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. Tommy Herman, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Rory Ward, 5. Ilan Evans, 6. Fred Tuilagi, 7. Nicholas Finch, 8. Tui Uru
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. James Fish, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Sonny Tonga’uiha, 19. Archie Appleby, 20. Kayde Sylvester, 21. Jonny Weimann, 22. Tom Price, 23. Billy Pasco
15. Louis James, 14. Ryan Hutler, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. Tommy Herman, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Rory Ward, 5. Ilan Evans, 6. Fred Tuilagi, 7. Nicholas Finch, 8. Tui Uru
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. James Fish, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Sonny Tonga’uiha, 19. Archie Appleby, 20. Kayde Sylvester, 21. Jonny Weimann, 22. Tom Price, 23. Billy Pasco
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: TryBlues (IP Logged)
Date: 24/12/2025 12:33
Personally would have started Sylvester and put Tuilagi on the bench.
Woolford was concussed in the last game.
Woolford was concussed in the last game.
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: Finn Blue (IP Logged)
Date: 24/12/2025 15:11
I'm coming to the game, something I don't get to do as much as I would like to. My wife is vegan, I don't suppose any of the food stalls have an option. Chicken George have a vegan option in their restaurant menu but does this get offered at the blues?
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: TryBlues (IP Logged)
Date: 24/12/2025 17:30
I can't help other than Chicken George does a limited selection and I thought you had to pre-book to go in there for food.
There appears to be extra food options on the day.
[bedfordrugby.co.uk]
There appears to be extra food options on the day.
[bedfordrugby.co.uk]
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: Finn Blue (IP Logged)
Date: 26/12/2025 08:39
Well one problem has solved itself, my wife has come down with a stinking cold so doesn't want to attend the game. So we have a ticket for sale, ground entry, face value.
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: TryBlues (IP Logged)
Date: 26/12/2025 19:05
I think there was probably a touch of over confidence from the Blues and certainly a lack of clincial edge, which kept Richmond in the game, although they never really threatened.
2nd half was better, but we left it late to score the bonus point and get the 5 points. We will need to be better against Chinnor, which I am sure we will be.
2nd half was better, but we left it late to score the bonus point and get the 5 points. We will need to be better against Chinnor, which I am sure we will be.
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: Old blue (IP Logged)
Date: 26/12/2025 20:27
I thought Richmond defended very well but didn’t have a great deal of invention in attack. A good match overall and I think the final score reflects the relative strength of the two sides.
Great crowd and enough bars/food outlets to keep the spectators happy.
Great crowd and enough bars/food outlets to keep the spectators happy.
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: compo simonite (IP Logged)
Date: 26/12/2025 22:11
As I had forecast not an easy game for the Blues. I will agree with the posting so far, we should have been more clinical and aimed for a scoreline that would made some of the 'once a year' Blues wanting to become more regular.
Negatives the pre game music loud and distorted, the game was posted as a 'sell out' but in front of me were at least ten empty seats, I could have brought two of them but had to came on my own!
A happy new year to all and perhaps Chinnor might surprise Worcester to give us a belated Christmas pressie!
Negatives the pre game music loud and distorted, the game was posted as a 'sell out' but in front of me were at least ten empty seats, I could have brought two of them but had to came on my own!
A happy new year to all and perhaps Chinnor might surprise Worcester to give us a belated Christmas pressie!
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: compo simonite (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2025 16:42
Worcester 26 Chinnor 27
"A happy new year to all and perhaps Chinnor might surprise Worcester to give us a belated Christmas pressie"
Many thanks Chinnor (at least for the next few days
"A happy new year to all and perhaps Chinnor might surprise Worcester to give us a belated Christmas pressie"
Many thanks Chinnor (at least for the next few days
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: TryBlues (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2025 18:25
Not too surprised, as Chinnor are a decent team and Worcester didn’t look great against us.
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: Bond Holder (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2025 11:48
Agree with others, Richmond parked the bus in soccer parlance, particularly closing down our centres. They came to not get thrashed, and for most of the game they succeeded. Early on we left a lot of points in the 22, and ironically, after the previous game, we hesitated with critical passes. In the end it was job done. Good to see the youngsters playing without fear.
Regarding empty seats, agree plenty visible. Remember season ticket + pay per match = attendance. Gate revenue = attendance revenue. Retail and refreshments revenue = extra. For once, minimal queues given the volume of outlets. Well done blues.
Regarding empty seats, agree plenty visible. Remember season ticket + pay per match = attendance. Gate revenue = attendance revenue. Retail and refreshments revenue = extra. For once, minimal queues given the volume of outlets. Well done blues.
Re: Boxing day bout featuring Blues v Richmond
Posted by: the hooded man (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2025 11:17
Let's not take anything away from Richmond's defence. They kept Blues out for long periods - 20 mins before first (penalty) try, 25 five minutes before second try (ten minutes of which when they were a man down) and about thirty minutes between the third and fourth tries, during which they scored their only try. Once Richmond get their attack in order, they will be force to be reckoned with.
Bedford's defence held firm and discipline was pretty good. Inaccuracies with the ball at times which disrupted flow and perhaps limited the try outcome.
Got job done to keep second place. Worcester did us a favour against Chinnor through, among other things, ill-disciplne.
Bedford's defence held firm and discipline was pretty good. Inaccuracies with the ball at times which disrupted flow and perhaps limited the try outcome.
Got job done to keep second place. Worcester did us a favour against Chinnor through, among other things, ill-disciplne.
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