Biggleswade RUFC

Royston Ladies 26-27 Biggleswade Ladies

Biggy Ladies won a thrillingly close match at Royston on Sunday - an extra sweet victory for the team, who have lost out in several agonisingly tight league matches this season.

Royston were short of a few players, with Biggy dropping numbers to match.

The game began with a great ball chase from Biggy after the kick-off and a thunderous first tackle by Laura Critchlow to set the tone.

Ellie Reeve broke the gain line with a strong charge and Biggleswade put pressure on deep in Royston territory. But it was the home side who scored first after a break by their scrum-half, who offloaded to a supporting runner despite a valiant chase and tackle by Tash Cooper.

Biggy responded with immediate pressure from the restart. Charlie Field caught the opposition on the back foot with a quick tap and go penalty, before passing to Katie Smith who skirted the touchline to run in in the corner and level the score.

Becca Maxwell, playing at No 9 for the first time, made several tackles to stop potentially dangerous breaks. Captain Lauren Poole made numerous trademark bundle-into-touch hits.

A scrum in Royston’s 22 saw Maxwell pass the ball out quickly after an infringement by her opposite number, and Biggy backs showed accurate hands to ship the ball across for winger Nikki Plater to score.

Field’s kicking game was proving effective, with excellent chasing by Biggy. 

They extended their lead just before half time off the back of another solid scrum, with the ball passed out to Cooper, who raced up the wing and offloaded to Poole, who straightened up a powerful run to go over. Field converted to make it 5-17.

After the break, the momentum was initially with Biggy. Cooper and Poole combined with excellent passing at pace, allowing Poole to run in in the corner for her second try of the day.

A battling Royston team weren’t going to give up, and almost forced their way over, with Biggleswade holding up the ball. Minutes later their pressure told with a try from their No 9, who converted.

Biggleswade were hungry for the ball, and fought their way to Royston’s line. Smith backed herself with a pick and go from the scrum, with her second try making the score 27-19.

The end to end drama wasn’t over. Royston launched a sustained assault on their opposition’s line. Biggy held up the ball once again before giving away too many penalties, resulting in a yellow card and a penalty try - putting Royston just one point behind.

The last few minutes were incredibly tense, but Biggy held out and eventually kicked the ball off to the delight of the travelling supporters. Final score 26-27.

Forward of the Match: Laura Critchlow (who made some pile-driving tackles but also gave supporters the biggest laugh of the day by heading the ball on when her team’s restart didn’t go 10m - “just for fun,” apparently).

Back of the Match: Becca Maxwell, for rising to the challenge of her first game at scrum-half