Bedford and Ampthill are both in Pool 1 of the Championship Cup this season. Saturday marks the third game of the pool and half way through. Bedford are also in the position of having lost to both Ealing Trailfinders and Coventry but with a strong attacking score they start the game with a 28 point difference advantage compared to Ampthill.

Both clubs have played one another many times in the past but this is the first time they meet in competition as peers. Always an entertaining competition this is looking to be a match of two determined teams.

“It’s a massive day for the club with the first competitive game against Bedford Blues in the club’s history. From a personal point of view it will be an emotional day to take the A’s to my former club Bedford at Goldington Road. The journey has been incredible so far taking us from level seven to level two and it’s obviously a huge honour for Ampthill to be involved in such a big game at the Blues this weekend.

The Blues fans are very knowledgeable, and I hope we will get a warm if partisan welcome from the Bedford faithful.

We’ve had a tough introduction to life at level two and it doesn’t get any easier when you have to go away to Bedford. The squad is adjusting to life and I hope we continue to show progress this weekend. Whilst it’s a big ask to get anything at Goldington Road we will give it our best shot.

The squad shows eleven changes to the side that lost at Ealing and a number of the boys who are going to Richmond with the 1881s (Ampthill 2nd team ) will be in contention for the start of the Green King IPA Championship against Nottingham at home next week at Dillingham Park”

— Paul Turner, Head Coach (Ampthill)

Match Gallery: 20191005 Bedford Blues vs Ampthill 1st XV

Store: Match Store

Ampthill Squad

1. Ben Christie

2. Dave Ward

3. Aleki Lutui

4. Henri Williams

5. Shay Kerry

6. Sam Hudson

7. Joe Bercis

8. Maama Molitika

9. Kevin Barrett

10. Louis Grimoldby

11. Nigel (Sam) Baker

12. Jarryd Sage

13. Serafin Bordoli

14. Kwaku Aseidu

15. Karim Lynch

16. Syd Blackmore

17. Thomas Foulkes

18. Matthew Collins

19. Billy Johnson

20. Robert Langley

21. Darryl Veenendaal

22. Joshua Sharp

23. Sam Hanks

Bedford Squad

1. Sean McCarthy

2. Robbie Smith

3. Henry Paul

4. Will Carrick Smith

5. Jordan Onojaife

6. Dan Temm

7. Josh Buggea

8. Huw Worthington

9. Grayson Hart

10. Ed Coulson

11. Ryan Hutler

12. Lewis Robling

13. Matt Worley

14. Charlie Reed

15. Rich Lane

16. Ewan Kingdon

17. Joe Wrafter

18. Andrew Boye

19. Ed Taylor

20. Joe Atkinson

21. James Lennon

22. Fraser Strachan

23. Pat Tapley