Biggleswade Men’s 1st XV 21-3 St Neots Men's 1st XV
Second place Biggleswade hosted top of the table St Neots at Langford Road on Saturday for a game that could well be the title decider for the Midland 4 East (South) League.
The fixture had been postponed twice earlier in the season due to Covid, so expectations were high and Biggy had spent the week building up to kick off.
Both teams lit the touch paper from the start, making it clear why they headed the table. Defences were strong and the ball moved quickly and freely between players on both sides.
Some huge carries from Dom Nott, Matt Horgan and Jake Devereux put Biggy on the front foot before an interception allowed St Neots to mount their first attack of the game - defended brilliantly by every Biggleswade player. There was no way through.
The Biggy pack continued with good shape and aggressive carries, forcing tackle after tackle as they moved closer to the visitors’ try line. The final drive came from Ben Yates as he crashed over just right of the posts for his second try in as many senior games. Elliot Tunstall added the conversion.
The early try gave Biggleswade the confidence to shift the ball wide quickly, testing the St Neots defence, but the visitors in turn pinned Biggy into their own 22. Their reward was a successfully converted penalty in front of the posts for offside after the home side had defended five waves of attack.
Biggy came back fighting. Well-practiced set pieces and excellent handling saw the home team apply pressure and hold onto the ball waiting for gaps to appear. Just before half time, Gareth Rutt sliced through St Neot’s defence to score under the posts from 15 metres out. Tunstall added the conversion to make it 14-3 at half time.
After the break Biggy stepped up the attack, bringing on fresh legs for players who had given their all. A tiring St Neots were forced to try and play out of their 22 when winning turnover, but Biggy stood strong and stopped them gaining ground.
The continued barrage of attack from Biggleswade reaped dividends as Rutt offloaded the ball to winger Richard Sinclair to dive over the line 10 metres in from the touch line. Again Tunstall converted.
As time ticked down, the passion, drive and heart of the Biggy team proved telling. Strong tackles pushed the visitors further and further back. The 21-3 victory was secured.
Saturday’s crunch game had not disappointed. The return leg in a month’s time will give St Neots a second stab but with Biggy riding a winning wave it will be a real challenge for anyone to knock them off of the top of the table.
Photos by David Kay
