Brackley 1st XV 7-51 Biggleswade 1st XV
On Saturday Biggleswade 1sts battled through the aftermath of storm Eunice to face Brackley on a pitch with an inch of standing water in post areas.
The poor playing conditions could not dampen a squad of players determined to have a strong game after the disappointment of a draw with Bedford Swifts in their previous league match.
Mud pits, gusty winds and freezing hands didn’t provide the best platform for Biggy’s quick expansive game, but the visitors still showed Brackley their ambition with a strong hard running line from Trebeck to break the Brackley defence. It was then over to the strength of the forwards and captain Dom Nott to crash over the line for the first try. Two points were then expertly added by Elliot Tunstall as he converted from the touch line against the wind.
Two further tries from Matt Horgan and Kieran Brasier in the following 10 minutes (unconverted) led to the Brackley coach having a few choice words for his team under the posts.
Brackley came back fighting, made ground, and were awarded a line out 10 metres out, which they caught and mauled. They forced Biggy to defend their line for what seemed an age before eventually driving over.
A rising penalty count for Brackley led to a yellow card then increased to a red.
The final score of the half was made by Ben Yates making his first senior league debut for Biggleswade. He crashed over the try line from 5 metres out as Biggy took advantage of the extra man, to make the half time score 7-24.
Biggy have been working hard on how they need to be more ruthless in the second half of games and they put this plan in action, still moving the ball through the hands and exploiting space. Biggy made the right decisions using the wind and being patient waiting for gaps as Brackley defended well. Gareth Rutt scored two, and Richard Sinclair and George Chapman added one each to ensure Biggy finished the game off in style.
The final score was 7-51, the win putting Biggleswade just one point behind local rivals St Neots, who they take on at Langford Road on Saturday (26 Feb).
Photos by Naomi Fullerton
NOTE: Moments before kick off, the sun broke through the cloud and drizzle long enough for both teams to join as one in a minute's applause to honour Jack Jeffery, aged 27, who sadly died after a serious injury while scoring a try for Evesham Rugby Club earlier this month. Biggy's senior teams and opposition sides all retired the number 11 shirt for the weekend in remembrance of the position that Jack used to play. Please remember, such events are extremely rare in the game. It was good to see the rugby community showing solidarity and respect in this way. RIP Jack.
