A young Bears side was beaten 23-14 by Bedford Blues at a wet and windy Goldington Road on Friday night.

Sam Wolstenholme and Will Capon touched down for the Bears in either half, but tries from Bedford’s Nathan Langdon, Will Maisey and Fred Tuilagi, as well as two penalties from Maisey’s boot, saw the home side take the spoils in wintery conditions.

After a period of early Bears pressure, it was the home side who struck first courtesy of Langdon’s close-range finish, before Maisey raced on to a kick through to touch down for their second on the half hour mark.

Wolstenholme pulled one back when he caught the Blues defence napping with a quick-tap penalty seven minutes before the break, before Maisey’s first penalty of the night made it 15-7 at half time.

Tuilagi went over for Bedford’s third on 56 minutes but the Bears hit back instantly courtesy of Will Capon from a well-worked lineout drive.

But Maisey added another penalty for the Blues 14 minutes from time and the home side held on take the points.

Bedford Blues: Tries: Langdon 13, Maisey 28, Tuilagi 56. Cons: Maisey 28. Pens: Maisey 37, 66

Bristol Bears: Tries: Wolstenholme 33, Capon 62. Cons: Bazalgette 33, 62