Bedford Athletic are champions after inflicting big defeat on Peterborough RUFC

Athletic won 20 of their 21 league games and now can’t be caught at the top with three games still to play.

Borough competed well in the first-half at Fengate and turned around in touch at 17-7 down, but the visitors showed their class after the break to romp to an easy win.

Playing into a stiff breeze Borough had the best of the early exchanges, but Athletic held firm and scored the first points with a well-taken penalty which was quickly followed a by a breakaway try. However Borough were dominant at the set piece and scored a fine converted try from Rob Jacobs before Athletic had the final say of the half with their second try to take a 10-point half-time lead.

In the second half Bedford scored some excellent tries past a brave defence led by the immense Johnathan Hamilton with Luke Swindells and Robert Moulds offering great support.

Borough did manage to score a fine try from a set play through the backs with Jacobs scoring again, but they couldn’t stave off their heaviest defeat of the season.

**Peterborough Lions were beaten 44-7 by Towcestrians at Bretton Park in their Midlands Division One game. Report to follow.