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A Tigers Development side nearing full strength duly completed a hat trick of wins in season 2007 over Northampton on Saturday. The absence of seven first team regulars gave Northampton a great opportunity to give experience to some younger players, and their starting 13 had an average age of just twenty years old.

The damp weather was in contrast to the previous encounter between the two teams but a relief from the recent downpours. The game opened in great style, with Northampton being just one pass away from a score on two occasions, before Bedford were able to strike clinically, to take an early six nil lead. The young Northampton side continued to press, coming close to scoring on many occasions, but just unable to make that final pass stick. The game continued in this way throughout the half, with Northampton frequently coming close to a score but unable to break through, and Bedford ruthlessly exploiting the smallest opening to score. At halftime, the score was Bedford 30, Northampton nil.

Despite their youth and inexperience, the young Northampton side kept their heads and belief and as in their previous encounter with Bedford, gave a much stronger second half performance. Although Bedford were able to score first, a break by centre Rose opened space for stand-off Howes to score under the posts and Northampton to get their first six points on the board. Soon after that, hooker Ryan Richards, playing the whole game and showing he is more than an impact player, dummied his way over from acting half. Bedford were to score again, but still Northampton worked. It wasn’t long before fullback Brotherton was able to get on the end of a passing move and add Northampton’s third try. Although Bedford were able to add further scores themselves to put the game out of reach, Northampton continued to press. Second row Cutliffe made a strong break down the left, and although he may have had the pace to score himself, he unselfishly passed to centre Fulthorpe to complete Northampton’s scoring with four tries and 24 points.

This was a brave effort by a young Northampton side, which will be of great benefit to them in the future. Their ability to score four tries and make repeated breaks showed that they have the attacking skill, and when they add some defensive steel to that, they will become even more of a force to be feared. For the Tigers, strong performances were noted from Dan Stones in his first game at prop. He was well supported by Andrew ‘Fozzy’ Grounds and a hardworking back row in Leigh Kopec, Doug De St Aubins and Paul Robson. Dan Sharp, Craig Walker, Ali Veitch and Phil Walker pushed their team around the park on Saturday and pulled the strings behind their victory.