Greene King IPA Championship: Bedford Blues 41 Yorkshire Carnegie 22

HAVING fought back to level at 17-17 just after half-time, Yorkshire Carnegie lost 41-22 at Bedford Blues in the Greene King IPA Championship.

Andy Forsyth and Stevie McColl got the tries that helped the visitors gain parity, but they could only add a try by prop Marc Thomas after that.

A heroic effort by home supporters ensured that the game went ahead following the snow and freeze but it was a case of missed opportunities for Carnegie.

They thought that they had earned an early Pete Lucock try, only to be pulled back for a knock-on on halfway, but did get on the board via a Will Homer penalty in the 12th minute to make it 7-3.

Bedford added two more tries to make it 17-3 seven minutes later but then Carnegie failed to get a verdict from referee Andrew Jackson when they drove the hosts back 15 metres, only to be hauled down on the line.

Three more chances went begging as Lucock was held up over the line, McColl's try-scoring pass was intercepted and McColl then went close himself in the corner.

However, Callum Irvine chipped over the defence for Forsyth to score, with Homer's conversion making it 17-10 after 36 minutes.

Having defended stoutly to keep the Blues out before half-time, Carnegie levelled inside a minute when former Otley player Richard Beck broke clear before passing to Forsyth, who found McColl to finish off.

Homer's conversion made it 17-17 but they conceded the next 17 points before Thomas powered over before Bedford had the last laugh with their sixth try.