The Tigers Men are now two wins from their opening two games of the 2025 Southern Conference League season.

Having won on the road in round one it was an opportunity of get in front of a home crowd for round two and what a crowd it was.

Having taken up an invitation to play at Goldington Road, the home of Championship rugby union side Bedford Blues, it was all systems go to publicise the event in partnership with them. A curious crowd of 386 turned out to watch and it wasn't long before they were as invested as they would be in their beloved Blues.

Tackles were cheered, line breaks had people on their feet and try were celebrated as the Bedford crowd warmed to their new club.

As with last weeks game the Tigers looked comfortable in their own ability for much of the first half. Defending capably and attacking with patterns and bodies in motion. A three score 16-0 lead was fair reward just ahead of half time but a last minute Rhinos try blotted the copy book.

The try right on the buzzer also seemed to get under the skin of the Tigers whose second half performance was less than accomplished. The Rhinos levelled the scores until Jack Brown kicked a 30m penalty to edge the lead back in our favour.

Elliott Hutchings scored out wide which was expertly converted by Brown to give the score line an 8 point difference and a bit of breathing space.

But similar to last week, the Tigers allowed another last surge from their opposition and another rhinos score left the gap at just 2 with minutes left to play.

Bedford held on, and to the relief of players and coaches alike, chalked up a win in front of their newly expanded supporter base.

Two wins from the first two games already equals what the side achieved all of last season and shows how far the club has come in just seven off season months.

We return to Putnoe Woods in two weeks time for our next home game against the reigning champs, Hammersmith, in what will be an increasingly stern test.

Trys: Hutchings x2, Chan, Al-Zubeidi
Goals: J Brown 4/5
Man of the Match: Elliott Holton

Bedford Tigers RLFC

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