Biggleswade RUFC

Biggleswade 72 - 14 Aylestone St James

Biggleswade Men’s 1st XV continued their league campaign with a big home win against Aylestone St James on Saturday (5 October).

Biggy were determined to start the game strongly and put the visitors under pressure right from the off. Winning possession from a ruck, the Biggleswade back line spread the ball wide with quick hands to winger Ethan Sinclair, who used his blistering pace to run around the Aylestone defence and score the first try of the game.

Biggleswade caught the restart ball cleanly and moved it away from contact with confidence, demonstrating what they had worked hard on in training earlier in the week.

Some strong defence held the Biggy players at bay but the structured, controlled approach of the Biggy forwards broke down the Aylestone defence, leading to Kyle Loan’s first try of the afternoon, swiftly converted by fly half Elliot Tunstall. 

The two tries in succession helped give Biggy momentum and the forwards provided a strong platform for scrum half Luke Gadsby to deliver quick ball to the waiting back line.  More well-executed passing led to fullback Callum Cochrane running in Biggy’s third try, placing the ball under the posts from the wing, making the conversion routine.

Aylestone fought back and, following a misplaced kick, their No15 showed they still posed a threat as he ran through the Biggleswade defence to score under the posts. 

The home side managed to regroup quickly and run in a further two tries before the end of the first half, making the score 29-7 and securing the four-try bonus point. 

After the break, Biggy continued to dominate, running in a further six tries to Aylestone’s one. Flanker Del Tribbeck scored four in the space of 30 minutes (not quite as quick as Reinach’s 11 minute hat-trick against Canada in the world cup, but not far behind!), Gadsby bagged his first and Sinclair got his second.

Aylestone deserve plaudits for fighting to the end and controlling their frustrations impeccably, ensuring the game finished on a positive note. 

The result puts Biggleswade fourth in the league after three games.

PHOTO CREDIT: David Kay