Bedford Swifts 12-12 Biggleswade Men’s 1st XV
Biggleswade 1sts were away to local rivals Bedford Swifts on Saturday, in what they knew would be the toughest game of the Midlands 4 East (South) league campaign so far.
Biggy started the game on the front foot, pinning the home team in their half for the first 10 minutes of the match. Both teams ran some strong running lines but tackle after tackle was made. Swifts are a big, physical team, but the smaller Biggy forwards held their own and absorbed attacks well.
Man of the Match Luke Dillinger and Gareth Rutt worked incredibly hard winning turnovers which eventually paid off for Biggy when Richard Sinclair opened the scoring under the posts after a darting run around the Swifts’ back line (converted by Elliot Tunstall).
The score put some fuel into Biggleswade’s attack but the visitors were unable to convert strong backs’ moves into points as they made a number of handling errors and Bedford defended well.
The continued pressure led to more points when James Goddon finished off a strong forwards’ try just a few minutes before the end of the half, putting his team 12 nil up as the half time whistle went.
The home side came out fighting after the break, upping the pace and aggression levels and hoping to take control.
Their game plan worked and Biggleswade were forced to defend, soaking up pressure until they were stretched too far, and Bedford were able to put their full back in for a try in the corner. The conversion was close but hit the post.
Biggy regrouped towards the fourth quarter as they stopped wave after wave of attacks, communicating and connecting well. A penalty in front of the posts was taken as a tap-and-go and Swifts scored under the posts, allowing an easy conversion to level the scores with the clock running out.
A draw seemed a fair result after a strong contest. Both teams are yet to lose a game in their campaign so far. Biggy look forward to welcoming Swifts to Biggleswade for the return fixture later in the season, which could end up being a league-decider.
Photos by Carl Wolfenden
