Biggleswade RUFC

Harbury Men’s 1st XV 3-38 Biggleswade 1st XV

Biggleswade 1sts travelled away to Harbury, in Warwickshire, for the preliminary round of the Midlands Junior Vase.

Kick-off was delayed by more than an hour due to half of the Biggleswade team getting stuck on the M1 when an accident closed all lanes. Biggy had just 15 minutes to get their heads in the game and get warmed up before the starting whistle.

Right from receiving the kick-off it was clear Biggy meant business. Some strong running lines forced hard tackles from the Harbury pack as the visitors made ground.

It looked like it was going to be a very evenly-fought battle, with the first 20 minutes of the game played between the 22s and neither side getting close to the opposition’s try line.

After some sustained pressure Biggy took control of possession and played with real ambition. A pre-planned move saw them pass the ball away from contact and out to Ethan Sinclair on the wing, who used his pace and ability to change direction and run round the outside of Harbury’s defence.

The pressure continued after the restart and Biggleswade were rewarded with a lineout 5 metres out, resulting in a forwards’ try from a rolling maul finished by Kyle Loan.

Harbury attacked hard and came close after a crash ball broke through Biggy’s defence. It took a try-saving tackle from Josh Sadd - making his 1st’s debut - to stop a score.

A penalty conceded in front of the Biggleswade posts allowed Harbury to kick over for their only points.

This reinvigorated Biggy, who used their width to set up Sinclair, who once again evaded the Harbury defence with a change of pace and great footwork for his second try.

As the home team tired, some handling mistakes were made. Gareth Rutt fly-hacked after a spilled pass and his kick was chased down by Elliot Tunstall and placed right under the posts.

Some great interlinking play between backs and forwards saw Tunstall score the fifth try.

Player-coach Matt Skirving scored from the back of a breakdown five metres out after opting for the undefended blind side and Tunstall added the final blow by converting from the touch line.

The team travelled home knowing what they had worked hard on in training was paying off and with a real sense of excitement at what this season will bring.

The 1st XV start their league campaign with a home game against Stamford Old Boys on Saturday 25 September. Spectators are welcome. The club is also hosting a pre-match Vice Presidents’ lunch (from 1pm) with a main course and cheese and biscuits for just £10. Contact Charlotte on 07305 572509 to book.