Champ Final Bedford Blues v Worcester Warriors

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Did anybody else notice that Worcester only used about half their bench in their game against Ealing? Appreciate it was tight and competitive, but it’s an interesting topic as it could reflect on squad depth this season (already signed new players for next season)? Some players unproven in real battle? Some players carrying injury? Or the coach’s will to win?

Worth also noting it was very hot and on plastic grass and most went 84 minutes.

🤔

I do have a bit of hope that Worcester have already played their final

🎼 I'm so excited and I just can't hide it, I'm about to lose control and I think I like it....🎼
OK, that's got that out my system. A more rational(ish) assessment to.follow.

This is going to be tightly contested game. As noted above, Bedford won both regular league games but so did Chinnor and Trailfinders. Worcester have found a way of staying in the game and coming through at the end. The Trailfinders game showed they play for 80 minutes.
I'm pleased it is Worcester. It will be an Old Boys reunion with former, popular players returning to GR. Blues Firsts playing Biues Seconds?😀
Over the playing season the Clubs are fairly evenly matched. Bedford have won 18 games in the regular season and Worcester 15 gaining a similar number of bonus points. Points scored are 802 to Bedford and 899 to Worcester. Points against Bedford are 643 and Worcester 652. In the last five games of the season Bedford won 4 and lost 1. Worcester won 1 and lost 4. The top ten try scorers have scored between them 69 tries for Bedford and 82 for Worcester.
Worcester will have taken great confidence from their wins against both Chinnor and, particularly, Trailfinders, especially in view of their recent playing history with the two Clubs. They will be confident to do it to a third team that turned them over twice. But let's send them back to Sixways thinking 'two out of three ain't bad' (thanks Meatloaf)
To do so, Blues must take forward the momentum from the Coventry match. High energy levels, a determined defence and use the skills and the collective understanding in attack of a settled squad that has played together over a number of seasons and built an enormous reputation and respect. Semi professional against fully professional. The pundits will have Worcester as favourites. But I believe we've always done things differently in Bedford. Let's go one better than last year.
Own the town, own the turf, own the game. COYB

Hooded, you must try to restrain your singing .....and save yourself for Sunday .....you sound just like someone sits near me in the stand.....

Previous encounters count for little in Cup Finals....

Bedford as I keep on telling you raise themselves to how they 'perceive' the opponents, Worcester will be highly rated by the Blues team and management, we will see our players digging deeper than ever before, the players, they will be playing for the shirt..... thoes that don't get picked will be gutted, those that do for some it will be the highlight of their career so far.
.
In my humble opinion this is the best Blues team of recent times, I am privileged to watch them play.

Quote:

compo simonite
Previous encounters count for little in Cup Finals....
Bedford as I keep on telling you raise themselves to how they 'perceive' the opponents, Worcester will be highly rated by the Blues team and management, we will see our players digging deeper than ever before, the players, they will be playing for the shirt..... thoes that don't get picked will be gutted, those that do for some it will be the highlight of their career so far.
.
In my humble opinion this is the best Blues team of recent times, I am privileged to watch them play.

Spot on post. Completely agree. Certainly best squad in the last fifteen years.

Quote:

compo simonite
Hooded, you must try to restrain your singing .....and save yourself for Sunday .....you sound just like someone sits near me in the stand.....

Compo,
So you sit in Block A, as well? 😉😀

We're going on a Cup hunt, we're going to win the big one, we're not scared. Uh-oh, CovenTRY RFC. We can't go round them, we can't go over them, we'll have to go through them. Maul, ruck, jackal, more. Scrum, pass, run, score.
We're going on a Cup hunt, we're going to win the big one, we're not scared. Uh-oh, Worcester Warriors. We can't go round them, we can't go over them, we'll have to go through them. Maul, ruck, jackal, more. Kick, chase, gather, score. (After Michael Rosen)

'Hooded' ......I fear the hot weather has affected you......!

Alas I sit in Block G.....and more scary there are several like you in that area!

Surprising what comes into your head when it's too hot to sleep.
There is only one of me. How could you suggest I'm anything other than unique. 😁 I'm right behiiind you. 👻

Matt Everard, in a BBC interview, suggests that Worcester are massive underdogs this week. Whose leg does he think he's pulling? We may have beaten them twice this season and we may have home advantage but this is a final. Worcester attend off the back of victory against the runaway leaders in the league, they have avenged a two game loss against Trailfinders and, in the quarter finals, against Chinnor. They are big game players.
Don't get me wrong, Blues have gone about their business with quiet confidence and efficiency during this whole campaign and have grown stronger , especially towards the end of the season. They have beaten Warriors twice and are capable of a third success, providing they don't get suckered into complacency. Warriors will be well prepared to test Bedford. Bedford has the arsenal come out on top but will have to work hard for each other as they have all season. One last effort COYB

Hooded.....'home advantage' normally I would agree, I however would expect a larger proportion of the tickets sold have gone to Warriors supporters...

I can’t fathom why the team of full time professionals, on a squad assembled on multiple times the budget of ours that’s littered with international experience and vast amounts of premiership experience would be underdogs against a part time, albeit talented, side. They don’t even have the excuse of being a new team still gelling anymore. I’m expecting a close game but if anything I would still say we are the underdogs.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:27:13:38:20 by Bluesman23.

Ok, silly question time.....IF at the end of 80 minutes play its a draw.......?

Everyone I know we get 70%, don’t listen to those who (think) they know. I have said this a few times in varioous places.

I think the Championship regulations say 10% or 15% should go to away supporters.

First time there will be a final with a home crowd. If it were at Ealing it would be an away crowd!

There will be deserved, heavy expectation on Blues from the Faithful this weekend. They've been second in the regular season for two years in a row, invariably in the top four, and I can't remember when they were outside the top six. That's how good and consistent they are. Their focus and energy have much improved as has defence. Several players have improved in terms of their decision making and not only is self confidence high but also the confidence in the players around them. Support fotr the squad has been incredible. The second highest aggregate gate over the season of nearly 45000 and an average gate of over 3000. To the supporters, the players need to hear you are there once more. To the players I would say, embrace the pressure,. To misquote a song from the Hollies 'he ain't heavy he's your brother'. This is your house, your turf, your time. One final effort.COYB

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TryBlues
Everyone I know we get 70%, don’t listen to those who (think) they know. I have said this a few times in varioous places.
I think the Championship regulations say 10% or 15% should go to away supporters.

First time there will be a final with a home crowd. If it were at Ealing it would be an away crowd!

For the avoidance of doubt, and to reiterate my earlier post, it’s not the allocation of tickets that is being equally shared this season. It’s the total revenue generated by ticket sales that gets divided between the clubs. This is particularly important this season with no neutral grounds.

For example, Coventry benefited from their last game at GR.

Next season the issue of prize money also affects total ticket sales revenue during prize money.

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Bond Holder

Quote:

TryBlues
Everyone I know we get 70%, don’t listen to those who (think) they know. I have said this a few times in varioous places.
I think the Championship regulations say 10% or 15% should go to away supporters.

First time there will be a final with a home crowd. If it were at Ealing it would be an away crowd!

For the avoidance of doubt, and to reiterate my earlier post, it’s not the allocation of tickets that is being equally shared this season. It’s the total revenue generated by ticket sales that gets divided between the clubs. This is particularly important this season with no neutral grounds.

For example, Coventry benefited from their last game at GR.

Next season the issue of prize money also affects total ticket sales revenue during prize money.

For the absolute avoidance of any doubt, the split is 70:30 to us it is not 50:50. Not that it really matters, but this is what it was against Coventry as well. There is no equal revenue split.

The ticket allocation was the lower figure I saw and it is 10% in 5.5 (a) (iii) is the ticket allocation.

Blues have kept the same 23, as the one that faced Coventry. Ward must not be fully fit.

Bedford Blues starting XV:

15. George Worth, 14. Ryan Hutler, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Archie Benson, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Fred Tuilagi, 7. Fyn Brown, 8. Tui Uru

Bedford Blues Replacements:

16. Tommy Herman, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Sonny Tonga’uiha, 19. Ilan Evans, 20. Nicholas Finch, 21. James Lennon, 22. Toby Thame, 23. Amena Caqusau

Unavailable for selection this week:

Monty Royston, Archie Hosking, Rafe Witheat, Louis James

Interesting that Ward is not in the unavailable list. I get wanting to keep the same 23 but if Ward was available I would’ve at least had him on the bench.

Worcester have kept the same starting 15 but have a stronger bench than they did last week. Unfortunately, Tim Hoyt did not make the 23…

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Bluesman23
Interesting that Ward is not in the unavailable list. I get wanting to keep the same 23 but if Ward was available I would’ve at least had him on the bench.
Worcester have kept the same starting 15 but have a stronger bench than they did last week. Unfortunately, Tim Hoyt did not make the 23…

Also interesting that Kayde Sylvester does not appear on any list?
I may have missed something of course.

Otherwise strong and proven Blues lineup.

I should probably start this on a separate string but, let's face, this is only string in town at present.
A lot is made of fully professional rugby players and part-timers, such as Bedford.
I don't see Bedford players as part-time rugby players. I see them as full-time rugby players with second jobs. Blues players have demonstrated year after year their equality with their fully professional colleagues. This is no hobby of a part-timer. This is an integrated group of fully committed rugby practitioners whose skills and abilities go way beyond a hobby. Their commitment, their energy, their skillsets have entranced a following that has grown to an average gate of 3000 in the current season. I remember not many years ago hoping to get 1200, then 1500, 2000 and 2500. What a legacy! Blues' style of play, controlled aggression and sheer joy of playing in front of an enthusiastic crowd explains to some extent their success. But mentally, they are full time rugby players, physically they are full time rugby players and emotionally they are full time rugby players and their success shows it. One more shift. COYB

I believe one of our 23 may not be in the squad anymore.

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TryBlues
I believe one of our 23 may not be in the squad anymore.

Care to tell us who?

I will share privately, as we don’t want to provide info which can fall into opposition hands!

Hooded what an extensive well thoughtout appraisal of the club's players and the club.

I totally agree on the players and how the club has changed, improved and grown, almost unnoticed to many of us, how lucky we are to be part of it.

Here we go, a sellout at Goldington Road between the 2 best supported clubs in the division. Both trying to get their name on the trophy.

It has been 13 years since we faced Newcastle in the play off final and even longer since we won our last trophy against Plymouth Albion. We have had a few semi finals since, so hopefull this is our time.

It won’t be easy.

Worcester have Garside, Twelvetrees, Bassett starting. Garside on the bench and Cruse as their forwards coash. All kick started their careers or coaching careers at the Blues.

I repeat my post .........'Previous encounters count for little in Cup Finals'.......... how true!

How fantastic to see GR so full, all that lovely 'dosh' that was going into the Blues till.

I wish I could wax lyrical about the game, I did see our two tries but alas not a lot of Worcester scoring anything......... it must be written into the DNA of Warriors supporters have to stand at any attacking move!

I felt sorry for the children in front of me ages under 5....hopefully they are not scared for life who saw little of the game......

The Warriors team is fully 'professional' in every sense, a style of play I heard commented on as more suited to the Premiership....

.....which they will deny, but they have aspirations, and I for one would back their early return to that 'supreme level'......

I for one now retire to my summer 'travels' Greece first then to Montego Bay......I have my season ticket for 2026/27 have you?

Footnote, yesterday I sat alongside 'The Hooded Man' and the 'legendary' 'Iron Man' amongst others.....the greatest group of buddy's. ........

COYB!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:06:01:14:19:12 by compo simonite.

I concur, the most professional team won. However, the champ style of imperfect rugby played by imperfect players could not overcome.

Their speed and resources over the ball in breakdown was very good. Ironically, if we could have held onto the lead until the break, perhaps momentum would have swayed our way second half. When it hit 60 mins and we hadn’t increased on the scoreboard, despite spending a fair amount of that time near their posts, the fans near me began to quieten. The writing was on the wall.

Every single blues player gave their all. Nobody let anybody down. Great effort by a great blues team.

Couple of things shared by Warrior fans sat near me:

Fred moving was announced some time back to them….allegedly
They got their tickets from ‘Warriors outlets’ … which explains to me why all the unsold tickets disappeared early Monday morning . It was certainly 66% full of Warriors. Anyway, 50% of 5539 tickets sold will help the blues going forward.
Onto next season. Ealing will be having a major rethink over the summer.

compo simonite as a Warriors ST holder I share your frustration at supporters standing up . I have missed numerous tries at Sixways this season because of it , often young kids who think it is hilarious and backed up by parents. For this reason have moved from the East stand back to the West stand . I can only apologise.
Well done on a hard fought game and your seasons second place finish. There is league form and there is knock-out form and they are not necessarily the same thing. I am bias but I think to achieve what we have is remarkable , and after losing out club richly rewarding. Bets wishes for next season and personally for your travels.

This was a great game of rugby between two committed and well supported teams. Warriors have learnt how to win tight games - three on the bounce now. It was a disappointing result for Blues but not a disappointing game. Warriors knew they had been in a match. They looked exhausted at the end.
The game was a great advert for Champ Rugby.
Blues can be proud of their 25-26 campaign, take pride in what they've achieved and take pride in the inspiration to others.
They can also take pride, despite this result, that they are two games to one up on the season and 77-60 up on the aggregated scoreboard against Warriors. That is a great legacy going into next season and hopefully eases the hurt.
Blues, you are an incredible group of players. We salute you.

Compo, all the best on your travels.

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ROLLO
compo simonite as a Warriors ST holder I share your frustration at supporters standing up . I have missed numerous tries at Sixways this season because of it , often young kids who think it is hilarious and backed up by parents. For this reason have moved from the East stand back to the West stand . I can only apologise.
Well done on a hard fought game and your seasons second place finish. There is league form and there is knock-out form and they are not necessarily the same thing. I am bias but I think to achieve what we have is remarkable , and after losing out club richly rewarding. Bets wishes for next season and personally for your travels.

Hi Rollo,

Just a bit of feedback from some blues fans. The vast majority of warriors met yesterday, going in, at the bars, around the ground and in our ‘stand’ was brilliant. Humble, realistic, complementary and fair. I hope you found most Blues fans similar.
Whilst our clubs have different infrastructure and money provisions, our love of competitive sport and appreciation of team effort is mutual.

Hopefully for positive reasons, your stay in Champ will be short. Hopefully yesterday’s advert will attract investment for us, medium term I can see a two tier champ evolving soon. It’s sport!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:06:01:12:00:14 by Bond Holder.