Biggleswade 2nd XV 32-12 Cuffley 2nd XV
After a defeat in last week’s league defeat, the 2nds were determined to get back to winning ways on Saturday.
Cuffley were only able to field 14 players and did not have a front row so uncontested scrums were agreed. Biggleswade also lent them a player to make it 15-a-side.
A strong cross breeze on Biggy’s Sheep Walk pitch provided a challenge for both teams.
From the off, Biggleswade worked their way into the opposition half only for indiscipline to allow Cuffley to work their way into the 22.
This persistent pressure eventually exposed a gap in the Biggleswade defence, and Cuffley scored under the sticks, giving them an easy conversion to put them 7 points ahead.
Biggleswade chased their first score, with the wind proving disruptive for both teams’ set piece and a few handling errors halting momentum.
Eventually there was a sniff of a chance, and the superb Luke Fye was sent off down the wing and over in the corner to make the score 5-7.
With Biggy’s defence starting to improve, there was an arm wrestle for territory between the two sides. Biggy got the final first half score when a shot at goal was turned down in favour a scrum, 10 metres out. A couple of driving plays allowed Joel Watson to cut a lovely line and score. Cameron Plant knocked over the conversion to make it 12-7.
In the second half, after Biggleswade resolutely defended their try line for close to ten minutes, young openside Tom Richardson grabbed a spilled ball and kicked forward, winning the footrace to the other end of the pitch to make it 19-7.
Now Biggleswade’s attacking game went up a gear. Jack Mulholland-Dear was another to benefit from great counter-attacking and support to score, whilst Fye got his second. Watson attacked and drew his man with a beautifully-weighted pass which sent Fye down the wing and over the line after fending off a would-be tackler who was sent sprawling, much to the home crowd’s delight.
In between, Cuffley got another score when a Biggleswade exit play went wrong. Final score: Biggleswade 2nd XV 32-12 Cuffley 2nd XV
Overall an improved performance which will please captain Jack Unite, however there is still room for improvement. With league action taking a break there is a chance for the 2nds to hone their skills in a joint friendly with the 3rd team at home to Bishops Stortford next weekend.
