Blues get the Friday feeling with double signing

Posted on Apr 18, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

There was double delight for Bedford Blues this week as they confirmed one new signing along with the re-signing of a fan favourite.

With Myles Dorrian heading off to Exeter Chiefs, Blues director of rugby has moved quickly to sign a new number ten in the form of London Irish’s fly half Jamie Lennard.

The 24-year-old, who can also play at full back, joined the Exiles from Doncaster Knights in the summer of 2009 after completing the season with an impressive 298 points in the form of five tries, 57 conversions, 46 penalties and seven drop goals.

The former Worcester and Rotherham player, who has also represented England at Student and Under 21 levels, played 13 times for London Irish in his debut season, as well as making a string of appearances in the A League.

Talking about the signing, Rayer said: “Jamie is a player that many people will be aware of during his time with Doncaster a couple of years ago and I’m sure everyone remembers just how big an impact he can have on a game. He is only 24 with plenty of rugby ahead of him and it is really pleasing that Jamie will be joining us for the 2011/12 campaign.

“London Irish saw his talent and quickly signed him up, but Jamie’s had a bit of a disrupted season this year due to injury and is keen to get back to playing regular rugby. I think that he and Jake Sharp are going to enjoy battling it out for the jersey next season and that can only be a good thing for Bedford Blues.”

There was more good news coming out of Goldington Road on Friday when Rayer announced that Ollie Dodge had put pen-to-paper on a new year long deal.

Dodge, who can play on the wing or in the centres, has been with Bedford since 2008 but had spent the two previous seasons on loan at the club from Leicester. The 23-year-old powerhouse, who has represented England at Under 19 and Under 20 levels, has scored nine tries in all competitions this season.

Speaking about Dodge signing on for another year, Rayer said: “I’m sure that everyone is as delighted as I am that Ollie has committed to us for another season. He is a young player who can be massively influential on the pitch and he loves to run with the ball, put in the big tackles and score tries.”

Dodge joins Darryl Veenendaal, Mike Howard, Dan Seal, Handre Schmidt and Josh Bassett in agreeing a new deal with Blues as they prepare for the 2011/12 championship season.

Bristol Rugby team news vs. London Welsh

Posted on Mar 31, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Head Coach Paul Hull makes five changes from last weekend’s defeat at Old Deer Park, as Bristol welcome London Welsh to the Memorial Stadium for the return play-off fixture on Friday evening (7.45 KO)

In the backline, Sam Alford features at scrum-half in place of Richard Bolt while Anthony Elliott is reinstated on the wing. Jack Tovey moves into outside-centre as Jack Adam drops to the bench.

Jason Hobson celebrates his new contract with a starting role in the front row alongside David Blaney who replaces the injured Ross Johnston. Darren Barry is preferred to Mariano Sambucetti in the second-row and Jamie Miller retains his place with James Merriman still suffering from a knock.

Hull said: “We are drawing a line under last weekend’s result and moving on. The game on Friday is a perfect opportunity for us to restore some pride and put in the type of performance that we know we are capable of.”

On the replacements bench, Hull opts for a four forwards and three backs split.

Bristol Rugby team to face London Welsh at the Memorial Stadium on Friday 1 April (7.45pm KO):

Sean Marsden; Anthony Elliott, Jack Tovey, Junior Fatialofa, George Watkins; Mark Davies, Sam Alford; Mark Irish, David Blaney, Jason Hobson, Darren Barry, Roy Winters, Iain Grieve, Jamie Miller, Dan Montagu.

Replacements:
Ollie Hayes, Wayne Thompson, Mariano Sambucetti, Marco Mama, Richard Bolt, Ed Barnes, Jack Adams.

Bees name side for Friday evening Home Game v Plymouth Albion

Posted on Mar 30, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The Bees have named their side to play Plymouth Albion this Friday (1st April, 7.45pm) at Damson Park in what will be their fourth Championship Relegation Playoff game of the six match series.

The backline that scored three tries in the away fixture at Plymouth last Friday is unchanged, with three changes in the pack. In the front row Nglau Tau is set to start the game, with Leo Halavatau switching to the bench. Similarly Dan Sanderson comes in for Adrian Griffiths in the second row, whilst a shoulder injury to Russell Earnshaw sees Rob Connolly coming in at blindside flanker, with Mark Hopley switching to No.8. Jack Bentall and Ian Davey return from injuries to take their place on the bench.

The Bees team to face Plymouth Albion at Damson Park this Friday, 1st April (KO 7.45pm) is as follows: 1.Rob Dugard, 2.Ross McMillan(c), 3.Nglau Tau, 4.Semisi Taulava, 5.Dan Sanderson, 6.Rob Connolly, 7.Jack Preece, 8.Mark Hopley, 9.Jimmy Williams, 10.Mark Woodrow, 11.Ollie Grove, 12.Sam Cox, 13.Will Lawson, 14.Simon Hunt, 15.Tom Foden.

Replacements: 16.Leo Halavatau, 17.Matt Long, 18.Adrian Griffiths, 19.Adam Clayton, 20.Jack Bentall, 21.Rod Petty, 22.Ian Davey.

Relegation playoffs get tense as Albion visit Bees

Posted on Mar 28, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Bees face Plymouth Albion at home this Friday evening, 1st April, in what will be another crucial game in their Relegation Playoff Campaign.

With three matches played in the six game “mini league”, both Esher and Plymouth Albion have won two of their first three games, with Bees and Moseley having won one game a piece. However, taking into account win Bonus Points carried forward from the main Championship season and Bonus Points secured from the first three games, the Bees are currently at the foot of the table with 9 points, with Moseley on 12, Plymouth Albion on 15 and Esher leading the table on 16 points.

The see-saw nature of the Relegation Playoffs was underlined on Friday with Bees suffering a 35-24 away defeat at Plymouth, whilst Moseley secured a Bonus Point 41-17 victory at home to Esher.

“Last Friday’s game at Plymouth was incredibly frustrating. We cannot expect to win games where the opposition score 21 points from long range penalty kicks” said Bees Director of Rugby Russell Earnshaw, who himself left the pitch midway through the first half with a shoulder injury.

“It makes this Friday’s game all that more important for us and with the backing of vocal home support I know that our squad is more than capable of delivering a match-winning performance.”

The floodlit game against Plymouth Albion at Damson Park this Friday, 1st April kicks off at 7.45pm

Friday night rugby at Brickfields

Posted on Mar 25, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Plymouth Albion entertain Birmingham & Solihull tonight in their penultimate home match of the season (7.45pm).

Graham Dawe’s side will be hoping to bounce back following their disappointing defeat at Esher last Saturday and move a step closer to Championship safety.

However, chairman of rugby Dawe knows that will not be easy to do against a Birmingham side who will arrive in Devon in confident mood after their away win over Moseley last week.

"Birmingham will go into the game with a lot of confidence, so it is going to be a challenge," said Dawe.

Albion, who are hoping for another good Friday night atmosphere at Brickfields, are still without fly-half Kieran Hallett and lock Dan Collier. Fellow lock Tom Skelding has also joined their injury list after fracturing a bone in his hand against Esher.

Albion (from): M Lee, M Venables, F McLoughlin, S Johns, C Mitchell, B Mercer, S Tu’ipulotu, K Fisilau, A Davies, R Cushion, T Kessell, G Porter, R Hopkins, D Morton, G Evans, G O’Meara, R Copeland, T Hotson, J Tripcony, S-M Stephen, W Sprangle, R Watts-Jones, A Carpenter, S Hocking.