Biggleswade RUFC

St Neots 26 - 28 Biggleswade

A try in the last minute secured another win for Biggleswade on Saturday. They started well away to St Neots, found themselves behind mid-match, but had the dogged determination to fight back in the last quarter.

There were several changes from last week’s successful side with Quinn Heath returning at scrum-half, Jamie Alford, Del Starling & James West in the back row, and Ben Cowling in the centre.

On another chilly afternoon, Biggleswade kicked towards the clubhouse with the wind at their backs. Early pressure resulted in a penalty which Sam Woods confidently put over the bar.

The Biggy pack was dominant throughout, shunting their opposite numbers back at will in tight scrums and driving mauls. “The front row was awesome,” said prop Kyle Loan.

This dominance led to the first try. A successful catch and drive crossed the line, with No 8 Starling getting the touchdown.

After a knock to head, scrum half Heath was off after less than ten minutes. Jakub Grabowski played at fullback, allowing Tom Richardson to move into the centre to take over from Cowling, who moved to No 9, fitting in well.

The Biggy dreadnought steam-rolled over the line from the edge of the 22 for Try Number Two.

But St Neots eluded some poor tackling to get on the scoreboard with a converted try under the posts.

Half-time followed with Biggleswade 13-7 up and seemingly in charge. But the start of the second half saw a revival of fortunes from the home team.

Urged on by a fervent crowd St Neots showed rampant running skills, exploiting Biggleswade’s defence on the wide pitch.

They scored one converted try and then another straight after the restart. Now behind by eight points, Biggleswade were rattled.

Was the winning run over?

A penalty kick deep into St Neots 22 saw the forwards make threatening moves before ball was swung left down the three-quarter line with winger Kareem Davis diving over in the corner.

Just three points behind, Biggleswade were rocked again by another St Neots try, which came after a poor clearance from the re-start.

This just spurred Biggy to raise their game again and from a lineout 15 metres out the powerful Biggleswade pack drove the maul over for Kyle Loan to get his second try of the season.

With the clock almost into the red, Biggleswade mounted one more ferocious attack. St Neots had their third yellow card, although one player returned at the same time, and at the resumption of play flanker James West crashed over for the winning try.

There was just time for the restart which was booted into touch to seal victory. The result moves Biggleswade into sixth place in the league table with two fixtures left to play.

Team: Jimmy Caulfield, Dom Nott, Kyle Loan, Jake Devereux, James Emerson, Jamie Alford, James West, Del Starling, Quinn Heath, Sam Woods, Kareem Davis, Ben Cowling, Gavin Taylor, Tom Anderson, Tom Richardson, Luke Dillinger, Jakub Grabowski, Matt Skirving.

MATCH REPORT: Nigel Aldis
PICS: Tom Dillinger