It’s a Friday Night Frenzy this pre-season as Bedford Blues announce a three-game schedule to ramp up preparations for the 2024/25 Championship league and cup campaign.
Mike Rayer’s side will welcome back a whole host of familiar faces in two challenging home fixtures first up, before concluding with a trip to the current Premiership champions for the first instalment of the new Mobbs Memorial match structure.
The home opener on August 23 sees Blues entertain National One outfit Blackheath for the first time since 2017, when the Blues triumphed 38-21 in a real humdinger at Goldington Road.
Former Blue, James Shanahan is now in charge of the London club, and he will bring a talented roster including many former Blues such as Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas, Henry Paul and Jordan Burns, who singed from Ealing Trailfinders this Summer.
Next on the agenda sees Premiership giants, Saracens head to town on September 6 for the first time since 2018, while the trip to Northampton on September 13 will be a poignant one in the first Blues v Saints fixture in honour of legendary figure, Edgar Mobbs.
Tickets for both home matches are already on sale and can be purchased online. Those looking to follow the club to Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens should head to the Northampton Saints website for full ticketing information. Both home fixtures are also included in this year’s season ticket package, which is still available via the club website.
The full league fixture list for Bedford Blues Women in NC1 East sees the team prepare for a new challenge in a higher division following promotion at the end of last season.
Blues Women have been placed in a new regional section with more travelling in 24/25 compared to the last 12 months. They will compete in a seven-team league alongside Peterborough Ladies, Ipswich Women, Stamford Women, Bletchley Women, Welwyn Ladies and Wymondham Wasps Women. It is the ideal mix of familiar opponents and fresh challenges as Eddie Rennell’s side look to lay down a marker in their first campaign at NC1 level.
The tests against Peterborough will be the perfect opportunity to showcase how much they have developed in recent times, following two heavy defeats in the 2022/23 campaign when Peterborough were promoted as unbeaten champions.
Stamford are the other side they’ve played before, that coming in knockout cup competition last season as a real captain’s contribution from Lucy Middleton saw Blues Women run out 17-10victors away from home. The remaining four sides will provide some new venues, and some tough opposition, but all is set for another exciting campaign as Blues Women look for a third title in four seasons.
In addition to the league fixture list, additional cup fixtures are scheduled to be announced next month. Pre-season friendly details will be notified on social media soon.
Head Coach, Eddie Rennell said:
“We’re all excited to challenge ourselves at NC1 level and this is a big opportunity for the team to show how much they’ve developed.”
“We understand it’s a step-up, but we’ve been working hard in pre-season to negate that and everyone in the squad has bought into what we’re trying to achieve. Hopefully everyone in our #BluesFamily continues to get behind the team in 24/25 and we look forward to seeing everyone through the turnstiles next season.”
Hospitality options are on sale across Goldington Road’s five venues, contact Commercial Manager, Louis Mann on louis@bedfordrugby.co.uk to discuss availability and pricing.
For a full list of fixtures and ticket sales go to www.bedfordrugby.co.uk
