Biggleswade Men’s 1sts 11 - 20 Rushden & Higham 1sts
A gutsy performance from Biggleswade in Saturday’s home game against Rushden & Higham (who sit third in the league) again saw Biggy compete hard but come away without any points.
Spirits were high in the Biggleswade camp, with a number of players returning from injury. They started the game well, absorbing pressure well and clearing the ball deep into the visitors’ 22.
Rushden’s centres used good running lines to try to break through Biggy’s defence but Ollie Vagg - back playing at centre - closed the channels with strong tackling.
Ben Cowling, stepping back in at 10, was obviously a known threat to the visitors (Ben played at Rushden during his youth) and they took every opportunity to harass him with a number of contentious tackles made as he began to pull strings and release the Biggy back line.
There was no obvious way through for either team and the first score came from a Rushden penalty from just outside Biggy’s 22.
Hard running and carrying from returning lock Jack Diemer got Biggy on the front foot. Strong shape and practised game play saw Biggleswade gain ground until a no-arms tackle on Cowling led to a penalty in front of the visitors’ posts. Cowling, unfazed, punished Rushden by cooly converting.
Biggy had the momentum. Jake Devereux made a superb break and crashed over the try line with three defenders hanging off him, but was judged to have been held up.
The half time score of 3 -3 left Biggy feeling positive and a couple of minor changes ensured they took the game to Rushden after the break. Accurate passing put their pack into space, forcing Rushden to defend. A penalty just inside the visitors’ half allowed Elliot Tunstall to slot the long-range kick and put Biggy ahead for the first time.
Attacks from Biggleswade pinned the visitors in their own 22, but the home side were unable to convert the pressure into points.
An over-enthusiastic hand in the ruck just in front of the Biggy posts allowed Rushden to draw level.
Rushden then stepped up, and despite exceptional joined-up defensive play between Biggy backs and forwards, the Rushden pack broke through at close range with two mirror image tries either side of the posts. Both were converted to put Biggy 20-6 down with 10 minutes to play.
The home side upped the intensity. The forwards, led by vice captain Dom Nott, worked themselves to within 5 metres several times. Patiently building pressure, they finally got their opportunity as Ben Yates collected the ball from the base of the ruck to smash through and score. A missed conversion left Biggy still needing a converted try and more to win the game.
Biggleswade fought to the last whistle but were unable to break through again. The final score was 11-20, but every team member played their hearts out for the full 80 minutes. It was tough to take, but Biggleswade continue to make inroads and the wins will come.
Photos by David Kay
