Biggleswade RUFC

The 1sts were disappointed with a frustrating game on Saturday, losing out by two tries to one at home.

Biggy absorbed early pressure from Men’s own, with James West tidying up loose ball and allowing his side to run the ball.

The boots of Ollie Vagg and scrum half Quinn Heath kept the visitors’ on their toes, pinning them back with short kicks through to space. A turnover by West won Biggy a penalty just outside the Men’s Own 22. The resulting kick to touch and a line out win piled on pressure. 

Relentless Biggleswade attacks saw the opposition give away another penalty just 5 metres out. Biggy’s decision to choose a scrum to attack from close range was rewarded with five points when returning prop Arran Pickering crossed the line to score.

After the restart, a number of infringements meant Men’s Own were handed opportunities to advance. A kick deep to the corner needed strong defence, with Jenson Beal tackling hard and Luke Dillinger ripping the ball free. Vagg launched a long ball into touch to earn breathing space.

A chip by the opposition’s 10, chasing to collect his own kick, was stopped by Beal, but he was judged to have tackled in the air. The resulting penalty was missed.   

Both sides kick-rallied for space, until Jakub Grabowski received the ball and passed to debut player Kareem Davis, who used exceptional footwork to dodge the fast-approaching opposition’s defence. 

A penalty award to the visitors was missed, then a Biggy penalty was scored but overturned for not being taken from the mark.

Some exceptional team work and strong defence kept the visitors out yet again. Just as Biggy were gaining momentum, their forwards were penalised for coming in at the side, a decision which frustrated them and was to prove contentious as the game continued.

Biggleswade shook off their frustration, running the ball whenever they could with some excellent offloads. The Men’s Own pack came back strong and were pulled down just 5 metres short of the try line. Another penalty for coming in at the side was judged to be one too many and a yellow card was shown to the Biggy’s loose head. Men's Own took the tap penalty and used their extra man to score on the far touch line. 5-5 at half time. 

The second half didn’t start well for Biggleswade, penalised again for the same infringement, giving away an easily kickable penalty.

Biggy did not let their heads drop. Some exceptional linking play between forwards and backs worked them back up the field, but a final pass not going to hand meant Men’s Own could clear the ball.

Biggleswade made ground with strong running and support lines, but just as they were about to score, the dreaded 'coming in from the side' call was made again.

Jake Devereux crashed through being held by three defenders only to be judged to knock the ball on when placing it down. The try was denied and a yellow card given for reacting to the opposition’s celebration.

Biggy didn’t lose their heads. They regrouped and held the ball well. But another penalty and another yellow card put them down to 13 men, forcing them to defend hard.

Tempers on both sides were rising and the referee yellow-carded a player from each side for off the ball pushing at a breakdown.

Biggy’s undermanned side was now stretched too far and Men’s Own shipped the ball wide take advantage of additional men and score their second try.

Biggleswade managed to hold the visitors back for the remainder of the game, with neither side managing to cross the other’s 10m line for the final 10 minutes.

Final score 5-13.

This coming Saturday, Biggy 1st XV travel away to Bedford Queens. The 2nd XV host Bishops Stortford Abbots and the 3rd XV travel to Datchworth.

Photos by David Kay