By David Hibell
October 27 2003

The team even managed to survive a Bedfords “power play”, to borrow an ice hockey term, without conceding any points. Which was great to see given that in previous matches when we have had the numerical advantage the opposition have outscored us. Bristol were forced to defend for long periods of the match despite opening up the scoring with Ollie Hodge touching down after a very effective rolling maul in the fourth minute which Danny Gray converted.

Bristol continued to be adventurous in the early stages looking to run the ball and making several breaks but Bedford seemed to get the upper hand in the crucial areas of the pitch and forced Bristol onto the back foot without managing to cross the try line. An example of this was Sean Marsden, back at full back after missing the win last week with flu, fielding the ball kicked deep into the Bristol 22 and looking to run it out. Bedford applied pressure and their left wing looked to go over in the corner where he was kept out by Bristols much improved defence.

Bedford tried to go for a couple of drop goals which were missed before they were awarded a penalty in the 17th minute which they duly converted, staying on the attack they converted another six minutes later to close to within a point.

Bristol managed to mount another attack after Bedford had again kicked long with Paul Hodgson tidying up a James Bailey miss field to break down the left wing with Mike Griffiths and James Bailey also involved. A penalty was awarded to Bristol when Bedford infringed and Danny Gray made it 10-6. This was the final score at half time, though Matt Stiles was sin binned in the 38th minute and Bedford went on the attack with Bristol repelling them, even winning a scrum on their own five yard line and attacking after Bedford were penalised for crossing, Mike Griffiths breaking down the right wing where he was stopped short on the 10 yard line

Richard Hunt replaced Ollie Hodge early doors in the second half. There was a worrying moment for everyone as the unfortunate Stewart Hepher was stretchered off the pitch to warm applause, reports on the message board advise that he has left hospital and the diagnosis is positive.

Bedford had their best move of the game with a sweeping move upfield following a Sean Marsden knock on in the Bedford 22, ending up with the Bedford number 13 (left my programme at home!) tackled just short of the line but Bristol were awarded a penalty for holding on and we were able to clear our lines and mount an attack.

Equality in numbers was restored in the 9th minute of the half with Matt Stiles back on the pitch, Mike Griffiths was again prominent in Bristols next attack down the right wing but he ran out of supporting players, Bristol were awarded the scrum and Paul Hodgson broke right, a beautifully flighted cross kick towards James Bailey fooled the Bedford Full Back and Sam Cox was on hand to collect the ball and score in the left corner. Danny Gray missed the conversion and with a quarter of the game remaining Bristol were 15-6 up.

Richard Hill made three changes as the sixty minutes had passed with Neil Clarke, David Hilton and Chris Morgan being replaced by Saul Nelson, Alex Clarke and Ben Gerry.

The next score was not long in coming either with Rob Higgitt breaking down the middle, Griffiths to his right, but he cut back inside and two passes later James Bailey raced into the left corner to score Bristols third try of the day, again Danny Gray narrowly missing the difficult conversion.

Sean Marsden was replaced by the newly shorn Michael Hook who sliced a drop goal attempt shortly after coming onto the field.

There was time for Bedford to score an unconverted try from a rolling maul and a long range penalty from Ali Hepher on the 40th minute to give them a bonus point, but despite eleven minutes of injury time in which both teams attacked, Bedford were unable to close the gap any more and Bristol were unable to pull away and earn a fourth try bonus.

A very convincing performance in defence from Bristol who showed that they have learnt from previous games and are still able to cut loose with the best of them. Bedford will wonder how they did not manage to convert the pressure and possession they had into more points, and Bristol will point to the three to one try count in their favour.