"Lawyer Aiming for Another Rugby League Victory for the South"

BY DAY, Jake Tilford ‘stares at a computer’ as a corporate lawyer. Come the weekend, he is helping lead rugby league’s southern push.

And a shock verdict on the pitch would go down just nicely – for Bedford Tigers will have a Challenge Cup clash with 2023 winners, Super League Leigh.

Jake Tilford hopes to show rugby league can thrive in the south by helping Bedford Tigers to a Challenge Cup tie with Leigh.Credit: BEDFORD SPORTS PHOTOS

London Broncos’ latest incarnation represents the traditionally northern sport’s most serious attempt to crack the south in years.

However, Bedford’s growth in the amateur ranks shows the interest and the talent is there.

Now to pull off a shock by downing Championship side North Wales Crusaders tomorrow, with the captain believing that would show the new front is there for the taking.

Tilford said: “I’m in corporate law, so what I do for a living is more transactional than interesting!

“Law’s an acquired taste and rugby league is my part-time fun. It’s definitely needed after working in the city all week!

“It’s nice to not be sending emails or staring at a computer screen for a few hours, that’s for sure.

“And the cup is really exciting. Obviously, we’ve got a mountain to overcome before we can think calmly but seeing Bedford’s name next to Leigh’s, despite the fact we’ve got a big game to get through, is really good exposure to the club.

“North Wales is arguably the biggest match we’ve had. We’ve been in the Challenge Cup three times, but beating Medway Dragons was our first win and this is our first match against semi-pro opponents.

“Bedford is a rugby union stronghold with Bedford Blues, but how we approach it is holistic, which helps.

“We’ve got junior programmes, a wheelchair team and a women’s team, so it’s bringing it all together.

“If you’re a fan of one of the teams, you can be a fan of all of them and the interest is definitely there.

Tilford and Bedford head to North Wales CrusadersCredit: BEDFORD SPORTS PHOTOS

“What Bedford’s got is really authentic and honest community growth. Not trying to conquer the world but conquer the city in which we’re based.

“London Broncos down the road is a bit of a sleeping giant and it’s really, really good to see that sort of coming back to the forefront now. It’s got a really exciting buzz around it.

“And it’s great to see that even in this fantastic squad that they’ve assembled, there are still players in it that have come through playing rugby league in the south, so that’s a tangible path to professionalism.”

St Albans-based Tilford is not your stereotypical exiled northerner keeping rugby league’s flame burning down south. He hails from Hucknall in Nottinghamshire.

2023 winners Leigh Leopards lie in wait for the winners.Credit: SWPIX.COM

So how does a lad from the East Midlands fall in love with the most northern of sports? The answer is right before your eyes.

He added: “I just used to love watching it on TV.

“I played union as a lad but I just found watching rugby league on TV so much fun.

“It’s intense, there are loads of big games and they let the sections find their way into the game, the massive blokes and the small blokes. It’s just a great sport, isn’t it?

“It strips away all the technicalities. Rugby league is just like the best bits of sport that I’m watching.”