By Andrew Reynolds

The Half Time whistle has gone in the Championship semi-finals, and Bristol and Bedford find themselves with it all to do.

Bristol made the trip to Cornwall and everything was going to plan; midway through the first half they found themselves in control 17-3 ahead.  But then the wheels, and some would say the axels as well, fell off, with Pirates running out convincing winners 45-24.  So they take a 21 point lead up the M4 to the memorial ground next Sunday.

Bedford took the very unusual step of deciding to play at home first, hoping for a similar advantage that Pirates have, no doubt. 4,000 fans packed into Goldington Road and all was looking good until four minutes before kick off the heavens opened, there was a deluge until, you guessed it, four minutes to the final whistle!

London Welsh scored the only try of the game mid way through the first half.  They then seemed content to let Bedford have the ball and their outstanding defence was not broken except by 3 points.  They will take a 10 point lead into the home game at Old Deer Park.

You wouldn't bet on both Pirates and Welsh training with Chelsea this week and borrowing their team bus to park on the 22, let's hope the officials are strong enough in both games to ensure the defence isn’t too enthusiastic.  We don’t want to find that come 5pm next Sunday the talk isn't of the quality of the rugby.

Taking a sudden interest in proceedings will be the players, officials and supporters of Newcastle.  Pirates and Bedford cannot go up, Bristol can and there are mixed reports about Welsh and a ground share with Brentford F.C.  This may take a few weeks or months to finalise, if so what do Newcastle or Welsh, if they win the final, do in the interim period?  How can they plan to sign players and plan for the next campaign not knowing which league they will play in?

There is of course a very simple answer; whoever finishes bottom comes down and whoever wins the final goes up.

Pirates have a new ground currently going through planning, it won't be ready until the 2013-14 season, if they win it let them play where they are for a season. Imagine how they will feel if they get to and win the final, then finish 5th next season and not in the mix?

I'm sticking with my original prediction of a final which will involve Cornish Pasties and Bedfordshire Clangers as the half time fare!

Follow Andy on Twitter @MrAndyReynolds