BEFORE Munster started making a name for themselves, the “Red Machine” or “Red Army” – in rugby terms – applied to Bedford School who have been a major presence in the British game for the best part of 150 years producing some of the richest characters in the game.
Over their long history, Bedford have spawned 18 full internationals, four British Lions, 30 Barbarians, 29 Oxbridge Blues and too many Schools internationals to accurately count. Bedford can also claim 33 unbeaten school seasons over the many decades although many of them come at the dawn of rugby time when they perhaps played only six or seven school matches in the Autumn term. In those early days they played more often against club and college sides.
In total Bedford can look back on five unbeaten seasons against all opposition, the most recent coming in 2015. Between 2007 and 2011 they were unbeaten at home, no mean feat when you look at a fixture list that includes Dulwich, Harrow, Oundle, Tonbridge, Uppingham, Wellington, Warwick and Rugby. No easy matches there, ever.
The roll of honour is long and it’s an ongoing story with the school claiming a number of major trophies in modern times, not least the RFU Champions trophy at Allianz Park when that 2015 side beat Epsom 28-21 in a free flowing final. Possibly even better that season was their 27-24 win over Sedbergh in a classic semi-final.
Bedford also reached the final the following year, beating old rivals Epsom 10-5 in the semifinal, but on this occasion they pulled up short in the final, losing 17-10 to a Ben Earlinspired Tonbridge. At U15 level meanwhile they won the Daily Mail Trophy in 1995 and 2006.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 18, 2020 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 18, 2020 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Holders Kent are back in business
KENT began their defence of the Bill Beaumont Cup with a thrilling victory over Hampshire.
Lightning Bo bags 'amazing' fab four
RAPID winger Bo Westcombe-Evans stormed her way to an incredible four tries to help Loughborough Lightning secure maximum points over their nearest league rivals, Harlequins.
'Privilege to play in Jonny's 10 jersey'
ACHIEVING his boyhood dream of replicating the highs of Jonny Wilkinson in No.10 Newcastle's shirt has led to Brett Connon extending his stay at the Premiership's struggling side.
Best I've felt for six years - Roux
QUINN Roux is feeling in the best shape of his life but the former Ireland international admits it'll be a stretch for him to be around at Bath for as long as Johann van Graan.
Lake's at double to sink the Dragons
OSPREYS maximum claimed points to keep alive their mathematical hopes of making the playoffs while also clinching the Welsh Shield.
Falcons' misery but hosts restore pride
THE battle of the battered ended with Newcastle becoming the third team to go through a Premiership campaign without a victory and generGloucester ating cheers rather than jeers.
It's away day delight as Sharks bite Sarries
SALE ended their StoneX curse to reach the Premiership play-offs for a second straight season and deny Saracens a home semi-final courtesy of an almighty performance from their beefy back row.
Big win but it's not enough for Bears
BRISTOL Bears ended their season in style with a seven-try victory against Harlequins, but missed out on a spot in the play-offs after Sale's win at Saracens.
Ruthless Bath crush Saints on perfect day
BATH have been in the top four all season and on a tense super afternoon, Saturday with play-off places at stake, they made no mistake against an understrength and underwhelming Saints XV.
Ex-Wasps buzzing for European glory
THIBAUD Flament has risen from Loughborough University's fifth team to become a French international with the intention of next weekend becoming a Champions Cup winner again.