Bedford's build-up to the fast approaching National League One season continued with a well-deserved victory against Newport Gwent Dragons at Goldington Road on Friday night, writes Alec Swann.

Tries from James Pritchard, Ian Davey, Ryan Owen and Karl Dickson were enough to secure victory for the Blues in what was an entertaining encounter.

And Pritchard, who was one of the standout performers for the hosts, felt they were well worth their success.

He said: "We targeted it as a game we could get a result from. We knew they were bringing up a good side and it was a good way to test ourselves.

"It was quite a good victory. Everyone was quite pleased with how we played. The biggest thing to come out of it is our defence. They scored a couple of lucky tries – a charge down and a driving maul."

The victory will do the Blues' confidence no harm at all.

With thoughts turning to the league season, which gets under way a week on Saturday against Manchester, the victory can only benefit the Blues who, according to Pritchard, want to better the efforts of the last campaign.

He added: "It's (the team) just a lot more exciting this year than last year.

"We want to do better than we did last year where we finished sixth.

"In the top five definitely, but other than that take it game by game."