Biggleswade 28 Huntingdon 26
In a tense last few minutes Biggleswade held on for another win. But it was a close-run thing.
Biggleswade had started so brightly that another high scoring win had looked possible. But after two early tries Huntingdon fought back.
Biggleswade kicked off towards the club with the wind against them and were soon on the scoreboard in typical fashion. A lineout ten metres out saw a forward drive with prop Dom Nott peeling off for the try.
It was quickly followed by another after a strong break down the centre by the three-quarters. The ball was recycled a couple of times with that other prolific scorer Jake Deveraux crashing over the line, Sam Woods added the conversion to give Biggy a 14-nil lead after ten minutes.
However, Huntingdon were not going to lie down without a fight and they fought back strongly. The first came when a Stag found a gap in the Biggleswade line. The second came after a more sustained build up. Both tries were converted so it was all square again.
Disaster struck for flanker Elliott Tunstall. He fell awkwardly at a ruck sustaining a suspected dislocated elbow. We wish him well. Matt Horgan replaced him for his third game this season.
Huntingdon missed a kickable penalty so there were no more scores in the first period.
Biggleswade started the second half like a runaway train.Biggleswade made a good exit from the kick off sweeping back up field with intent. Scrum-half Jack Sharp who had another good game was on hand to sweep through for the touchdown.
Sam Woods had an 100% try conversion rate and made massive kicks downfield. But a couple of missed kicks to touch from penalties could have been disastrous as the Stags were willing to run.
Luke Dillinger replaced Jensen Beal in the backrow when the flanker was unwell. He did some good work in the loose winning several turnovers.
The Biggy pack dominated the set scrums but rarely got the reward of a penalty. This dominance led to the fourth try for the bonus point with Dom Nott grabbing his second try.
Now with a clear lead again the win looked a certainty. But Huntingdon fought back with two tries but only one of which was converted. The second though was a streaky affair. A kick through hit the upright rebounding into Borg’s face. Before he could recover a Stag had fallen on the ball for a try.
The restart kick went out on the full which led to a scrum on the half-way line. But the Biggleswade pack pushed Hunts off the ball and the match was won.
There is now a break for Christmas and the New Year until an away game to Luton in January.
Team: Ben Watson, Dom Nott, Kyle Loan, James Emerson, Jake Devereux, Luke Dillinger, Elliott Tunstall, Ben Reedman, Jack Sharp, Sam Woods, Tom Anderson, Michael Hall, Tom Richardson, John Richardson, Alex Borg. Replacements: Martin Hull, Matt Horgan, Joe Rowntree.
