Mobbs Memorial: Bedford Give Army The Blues

The British Army have been soundly beaten by a Bedford Blues side bolstered by full-time professional players from Northampton Saints and Saracens.

The Blues ran in nine tries as they comprehensively won the annual Mobbs Memorial Match 55-26 at Goldington Road.

The Army, who were playing their penultimate game before embarking on their 2017 Inter-Services Championship campaign, did score four tries of their own, including a debut try for Royal Signaller Rav Fatiaki.

The annual match was inaugurated in 1921 to honour Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Mobbs, a legend of English rugby and a hero of World War One. 

This year's game had added poignancy as it marked the 100th anniversary since he was killed leading the charge on a German machine gun post during the Battle of Passchendaele.

Forces News' Cath Brazier takes a look at who Mobbs was and the impact he made.