Dunstablians 23 Biggleswade 22
A penalty in the last minute snatched victory from Biggleswade. A late surge had put them ahead with three minutes to go. But it was not to be with defeat by the narrowest of margins.
Injuries in the three-quarters meant some reshuffling in the backs for Biggleswade. But it was Dunstablians who were most changed having allegedly secured the services of some mercenaries to boost their ranks.
It was a lack-lustre first half for the visitors who found it hard to get going. Their only reward was a single try for Tom Anderson in reply to an early penalty from Dunstablians.
It was the home team which took the lead with a converted try in the last move of the first half. Biggleswade ran out of cover letting the pacy winger to run round under the posts.
Immediately before the kick off the referee ordered Biggleswade to reverse their shirts so the white outside was on display. Whatever happened to the convention in rugby that the home side play in a different strip?
As a result, more than one pass was given to the opposition in tight situations.
From a line-out the Biggy pack drove over for what seemed a certain try. But a knock on was seemingly spotted and the try disallowed.
Turning round ten-five down seems soon became worse as a lack of pace wide out saw Dunstablians stretch their lead with another try under the posts. A second penalty made the prospect of victory even more remote.
But when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Biggleswade was not going down without a fight.
A quick penalty saw number eight Ben Reedman storm through for Biggy’s second try.
Kyle Loan added the third after a storming run out of defence by Dom Nott. This gained immense yardage and gave the impetus for the points.
From the restart Biggleswade were on the charge again. The skipper Jake Deveraux led the win going over for the fourth try earning the bonus point. Jack Sharp kicked the conversion to put Biggleswade ahead.
Victory though was snatched away when a Biggleswade player was judged to be within ten yards of a quickly taken penalty making the place kicker much easier.
The result leaves Biggleswade five points behind the league leaders but thirteen points ahead of third placed St Neots. Of the remaining six games two are against the bottom three clubs but the other four are in the top five.
This week Northampton Casuals visit Langford Road with a pre-match lunch for which booking is essential.
