That Quins were still in an early stage of their preparations was quite clear from the lack of the cohesion and running rugby which characterised the reserves last year.  As John Kingston pointed out before the game, they are still some weeks away from when the team has to be ready and there is still much to be done.

With a crowd of 1348, Bedford were clearly taking the matter seriously and their supporters, all 1300 of them, the odd 48 were Quins, even more so.  The return of Rudi Straeuli as their manager and Junior Paramore to the base of the scrum, Blues icons both, seems to have increased their hopes and their determination.  The presence, too, of a number of past Northampton players has given them depth and experience. 

It is axiomatic that matches are won up front.  The Bedford pack was bigger and heavier and determined to impose itself on the opponents.  For long periods of the match they did exactly that and territorially Quins played a great deal of the match in their own half and then mostly inside their own 22 yard zone.  Indeed in the second half it was nearly 20 minutes before they crossed the half way line.

With five of the new signings playing, there was considerable interest in their performance with the greatest attention centring on the half back pairing of Jeremy Staunton and Steven So’oialo.

There was also Molitika and James on show although Maurice Fitz Gerald was injured and left the field after only five minutes.  The late withdrawal of Gavin Duffy, due to a family bereavement, brought in unknown Academy player, Charlie Amesbury on the left wing.

From the start, the Bedford forwards sought to enforce pressure and only good defence kept them at bay.  Eventually that pressure told when a series of rucks on the Quins line finally allowed Malone to dive over for the opening score.  Hepher’s kick went wide and Bedford led 5 – 0 after only 15 minutes.

It was almost ten minutes later when Quins struck back. Quick passing and an excellent run by Henry Barratt was stopped just short of the Bedford line.  Possession was retained and the ball came to Molitika who crashed over to level the scores.  An excellent conversion kick from Staunton put Quins in the lead 5 – 7.  That was the half-time score but both sides had other chances with clear scores missed when the ball was knocked on just over the line or a final pass was adjudged forward. Quins might easily have been fourteen points adrift.

The second half brought changes in personnel on both side too numerous to record as, although the Bedford substitutions were announced over the loudspeakers, those made by Quins were not.  Simon Miall appeared, as did Andy Reay and Adrian Jarvis.  Despite this, the second half followed much of the pattern of the first half and saw Bedford dominant inside the Quins half of the field and they remained there for most of the third quarter. 

After ten minutes, an excellent rolling maul crossed the Quins line but the ball was adjudged to have been held up, the referee being unsighted.  Next  a powerful attempt to score by the hooker, Chris Johnson, led to him knocking on as he tried to ground the ball.  Finally eighteen minutes into the half, a turn over ball led to a good kick through  for Spencer Brown to beat Barratt to the touch down.  Once again Hepher’s conversion kick missed, by Bedford led 10 – 7.

Although Quins tried to turn the tide they did not seem able to force the score they needed and so the score remained unchanged to the final whistle.

There were some good things though.  Molitika had a good game and will certainly add power to the pack and he showed well in the tail of the lineout.  So’oialo, too, showed well on his debut.  He has a quick flat pass and worked hard to provide his fly half with quick service.  Charlie Amesbury performed well and is certainly one to watch for the future.

Management’s opinion was that they were not entirely surprised at the pack being out-muscled; they had learned more from that match then they would from a 50 point victory and there was a lot still to do.  Next week would be the real test.

So the season is up and running or limping perhaps.

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