Biggleswade RUFC

Birstall 31 - 5 Biggleswade 1st XV

After last week’s strong win against Deepings, the Biggy boys travelled to Leicestershire with high spirits, hoping to continue where they left off.

Sadly this was not to be the case, as they came up against a very big, strong and well-drilled Birstall team, who currently lead the Midlands 4 East (South) of Midlands Division (four places above Biggleswade).

It took the hosts just five minutes to put points on the scoreboard, with a try under the posts. This should have woken up and motivated Biggleswade, but the team were taking too long to switch on.

Fifteen minutes in, and the scoreline rose to 19-0. Something needed to change.

Captain Gavin Taylor and pack leader Jake Devereux did everything they could to motivate the side and up the aggression levels to deal with the huge opposition pack.

Biggleswade’s defence absorbed wave after wave of attack, then - against the flow of play, - Will Roake chased his own kick to fly hack the ball over the Birstall line and put the ball down for a well-earned individual try.

Birstall came back strong, with slick hands and excellent support running lines saw them score a further try just before the break, making the score 26-5.

Biggy needed to regroup and rouse the team spirit they’ve developed over the season. Playing for pride, and inspired by the half time talk, the tackles got lower and the speed in defence was noticeably quicker, leading to less opportunities for the Birstall backs to attack.

Some crunching tackles from Taig Norman led the way and the battle in the centre of the field began to look like an even contest. A slight reshuffle of the team took place when Jake Mulholland-Dear came on for injured Burman,

Despite Biggy’s improvement, the strength and pace of Birstall enabled them to cross Biggleswade’s try line with 20 minutes still to play.

But Biggleswade’s teamwork and support ensured this was the hosts’ final score of the afternoon, as Biggleswade showed once again how they love to defend. The disappointed Biggy team walked away knowing they can do better and vowing to start the game at the right pace next time the sides clash.