Match Report

Northampton 36-44 Bedford II

09/06/07 (Courtesy of Northampton Casuals)

Northampton travelled from their regular town centre ground, taking rugby league on the road, to Brackley. Brackley’s large pitch and the hot weather promised a fast open game with plenty of scoring, and the gathered Brackley fans were not disappointed.

 

Northampton started in great style, marching the length of the pitch before a high kick to the corner was plucked out of the air by last weeks man of the match, Sam Howes, to give Northampton an early 4-0 lead. Bedford were then to take control of the game, scoring four tries, including two spectacular long range efforts, to take an 18-4 lead. Northampton got back into the game with another Howes try, but two more Bedford tries put them 28-8 up at the break.

 

Northampton, inspired by Jo Smith's half time team talk, came out for the second half looking to tighten their defence, but were shocked by another long range try, before their fightback began. First in was fullback Janzik, then loose forward Bryant, then a Bedford interception try from under their own posts was followed up by Howes completing his hat-trick, Bryant adding his second and a Smith try to bring the scores to 36-44 with a few minutes to go.

 

However, despite desperate pressure, Northampton were unable to complete the Fightback, but a second half scoreline of 28-16 showed tremendous character from the Northampton side. Both centres had strong games, and Shooter was able to repeatedly punch holes in the defensive line. The man of the match award was split between Smith and Bryant.