BEFORE Munster started making a name for themselves, the “Red Machine” or “Red Army” – in rugby terms – applied to Bedford School who have been a major presence in the British game for the best part of 150 years producing some of the richest characters in the game.
Over their long history, Bedford have spawned 18 full internationals, four British Lions, 30 Barbarians, 29 Oxbridge Blues and too many Schools internationals to accurately count. Bedford can also claim 33 unbeaten school seasons over the many decades although many of them come at the dawn of rugby time when they perhaps played only six or seven school matches in the Autumn term. In those early days they played more often against club and college sides.
In total Bedford can look back on five unbeaten seasons against all opposition, the most recent coming in 2015. Between 2007 and 2011 they were unbeaten at home, no mean feat when you look at a fixture list that includes Dulwich, Harrow, Oundle, Tonbridge, Uppingham, Wellington, Warwick and Rugby. No easy matches there, ever.
The roll of honour is long and it’s an ongoing story with the school claiming a number of major trophies in modern times, not least the RFU Champions trophy at Allianz Park when that 2015 side beat Epsom 28-21 in a free flowing final. Possibly even better that season was their 27-24 win over Sedbergh in a classic semi-final.
Bedford also reached the final the following year, beating old rivals Epsom 10-5 in the semifinal, but on this occasion they pulled up short in the final, losing 17-10 to a Ben Earlinspired Tonbridge. At U15 level meanwhile they won the Daily Mail Trophy in 1995 and 2006.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 18, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 18, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.