Rugby League

Challenge Cup 1st Round

Sunday 11th January 2026

14.30 Kick Off

Bedford Tigers 36 Medway Dragons 6, attendance 292

@ Bedford Athletic R.U.F.C.

Wentworth Drive

Putnoe

Bedford

MK41 8QA

£3 Admission

£1 Programme available, didn’t bother buying.

When I last visited Bedford Tigers (0-42 versus West London Sharks in a Conference Southern Premier match in June 2009) they were playing on an outside pitch at Bedford International Athletics Stadium. These days they’re based at the ground of Bedford Athletic R.U.F.C. where they have use of the main pitch, which is a floodlit 3G. It runs widthways in front of the clubhouse and is fully railed and has a pair of dugouts on the far side.

Bedford Tigers still play in the Southern Conference League and were making their third appearance in the Challenge Cup, with this being the first time they’d had a home draw. Medway Dragons, who are based in Brompton, Kent, midway between Chatham and Gillingham, play in the London & South East League, which is one level below Bedford.

The hosts opened the scoring with a try in the corner after eight minutes, but were unable to convert the kick. Three minutes later a diagonal run in from the right saw a try for Medway under the posts, which they converted to lead 4-6 and it was very much game on. Unfortunately, it was to be the only points the visitors would score and Bedford edged back in front and despite having a man sin binned late on in the half, went in leading 14-6 at the break. They were still a man light when they added their fourth try of the game, breaking through the centre for a try easily converted under the posts and there was no way back for the visitors with Bedford soon back at full strength. They added three more tries, all converted, going over in the corner with six minutes left to round off a 36-6 win. They now visit tier two side North Wales Crusaders in Round 2.