Published 27th January 2019
Cheshunt 3rd XV 31 – 29 Biggleswade 3rd XV
After a nail-biting comeback last week away to Datchworth in the cup, the third team’s focus switched back to the league away to Cheshunt.
The Biggleswade 3rd team showed good strength in depth despite several key players’ absence through a mixture of illness and call-ups to the first team (who were also hit by several injuries).
Despite the changes, Biggleswade came out and got the first score. After a lineout on the 5 metre line Ben Hughes knocked down the ball to a grateful Matt Cowley who dived between the Cheshunt defenders. Mark Rastrick, starting at fly-half, took up kicking duties but unlucky saw his effort hit the post.
Biggleswade continued to apply pressure and again found themselves in the opposition 22; Ollie Vagg and Damian White in particular put in several notable charges. This time a penalty in front of the posts was too tempting to turn down and was duly knocked over to make to 8-0 to the visitors.
Cheshunt then went up a gear and, through their massive pack of forwards, hammered away at the Biggleswade line.
With their pick-and-go game and maul proving effective in the first half, the home side found themselves back in the game with two tries.
However after a period of play in which Biggleswade held out the attackers in their own 22, a Cheshunt mistake saw Gareth Jones kick through and break past the halfway line. The ensuing good chase by his support resulted in Cheshunt giving away a penalty. Captain Jack Unite took a quick tap before the Cheshunt defence could get back and set Jimmy Young free for a converted score.
Cheshunt however stuck to their Plan A and although Biggleswade got better at defending the mauls, poor discipline from the Langford Road boys meant they were under more pressure and in the end the half finished 15 a piece.
In the second half Cheshunt had more of the same, with a seemingly endless supply of forwards to maintain their upper hand in the pack.
As Cheshunt built a lead Biggleswade managed to find themselves back in the game with two more tries, one being an excellent counterattack starting in their own half which resulted in Dave Leslie showing not only strength but also agility to slalom his way over the line.
In the end Biggleswade, despite their dogged effort in defence, were second best on the day. They can be proud of their performance against a strong Cheshunt side which was much changed from their previous encounter.
Post-game Gareth Jones was awarded the Captain’s Choice award for some excellent performances which has seen him rack up two tries in January as well as his efforts at training, not to mention his unofficial role as third team medic!
The third team now have a month to wait for their next league game so will look to hone their skills until action resumes in March.
Biggleswade 3rd XV: M Peace, J Unite, M Salter, O Lattimer, B Hughes, D White, M Cowley, S Rutt; J Young, M Rastrick, G Jones, D Leslie, L Fye, R Williams, O Vagg. Subs: A Thiedmann, A Surman, A Matthews
