Biggleswade 15 Towcestrians 10
Counties 2 East (South)
Report by Nigel Aldis
Biggleswade’s captain Jake Deveraux was euphoric after this opening league win of the new season. “We were level 9 two seasons ago,” he said “and today we have beaten a team who were level six.”
It was a close-run thing with the outcome uncertain until the last five when Charlie Stevens as cool as a cucumber slotted home a penalty. It took Biggleswade more than a converted try ahead with the clock ticking into the last five minutes.
Despite the pre-season ideas there were only two debutantes in the starting line up. Luke Adde came into the second row with James Emerson unavailable on an iron man course. Prop Jack Hill was on the bench but he was soon off it and into the action.
Twocestrians kicked off and looked lively. With a strong Colts set up the visitors looked young, fit and enthusiastic. But they conceded a penalty for going over the top. Full back Jack Sharp kicked for the corner. The forwards rumbled over the line with new boy Jack Hill getting the credit for the touchdown. Charlie Stevens added the conversion so Biggy were in the lead.
Biggleswade bossed the scrums but the visitors had a clear advantage in the lineout where little went right.
Twocestrians were not behind for long. A big fault in Biggleswade’s play is the number of penalties that they give away. The visitors used one to kick for the corner, They tried the rolling maul but Biggleswade are not a side to be rolled over.
Instead Twocestrians swung the ball left and right and eventually found a gap under the posts. The conversion over it was all-square again.
The match was close fought throughout which was appropriate as the smoke from the barbecue drifted across the ground.
But as soon often it was captain Jake who had the quick presence of mind to take a quick penalty while the defence was ambling back to get Biggleswade’s second try.
Biggleswade used the rest of their bench to boost the attacking options An exhausted Jake Deveraux was replaced by Eliot Tunstall who was making a welcome return after a long lay-off. He in turn had been subbed by James West.
Things were very even as the clock ticked down Biggleswade were awarded a penalty which they would normally have kicked into the corner. In stead the cry was “take the points” so the dependable Charlie Stevens stretched the lead.
In the closing seconds when Twocestrians were also awarded a kickable penalty they took the three points on offer to get a losing bonus point.
Next week Biggleswade are gain at home when they take on Stamford.
