On International Women’s Day last month, Bedford Blues Women reached a very special milestone as influential fly-half Lucy Middleton became the first player in the team to reach 50 caps for the club.
Lucy has been an ever present in the squad since its inception in 2020, featuring in every competitive fixture along the way, and chipping in with a total of 368 points prior to her fiftieth cap against Hitchin.
Winner of the 2022/23 Players’ Player of the Year Award, Lucy is a former captain of Bedford Blues Women, lifting the NC2 title in 2023/24, before relinquishing the role at the start of this season to focus on a greater balance between home life and playing duties.
Speaking about reaching the momentous milestone, Lucy said: “It’s an extremely proud moment for me. I feel like we’ve come such a long way since the Covid days when we first got together as a team, and the progress we’ve made is incredible, so really proud to hit the 50-cap mark and long may it continue.
“But this isn’t an individual sport and it’s about everyone in the team who keeps me going and makes it such a special place to be. I’m just happy to still be part of the team.”
One of the first names on the team sheet, Lucy has made the fly-half jersey her own since the team was formed and is an integral leader and key role model to her teammates.
Speaking at training, one player said of Lucy: “Lucy is always outstanding on the pitch, incredibly encouraging as a teammate and continues to drive us on. She is always there at the key moments of a match and is a main driver behind our success as a team.”
Another added: “Lucy has been an absolute rock to the team throughout the good times and bad, and always gives 110% and never allows us to give up.”
Rewarded with East Midlands recognition in recent seasons, Lucy is hoping to be involved in a third promotion while at Goldington Road, with Blues Women currently top of the table heading into the final few weeks of the season.
Lucy added: “I think our cohesiveness this season, our support for each other, and our physical ability has improved so much from last year. We’re working together as forwards and backs, and putting into practice what we’re doing at training. Hopefully we can keep that going and achieve our ultimate ambition of promotion to Championship Two.”
With England Women winning the Rugby World Cup last year, there’s never been a better time to get involved with sponsorship of the women’s game. There are several opportunities to have a positive impact at local level available at Bedford Blues Women, contact Commercial Manager Ben Howe to fi nd out more.
Email Ben Howe at ben@bedfordrugby.co.uk or visit the Bedford Rugby Club website.
