Biggleswade RUFC

Spalding Men’s 1st XV 36 - 17 Biggleswade Men’s 1st XV

Another frustrating week for Biggleswade 1st XV, unable to achieve the win away at Spalding, despite playing some exceptional rugby.

Spalding are unbeaten this season and sitting second in the table, but Biggy weren’t intimidated and approached the clash with real confidence and positivity.

Spalding’s game plan was to use their sizeable pack and make quick offloads in first contact. Biggy were strong in the tackle and held the home team for the first fifteen minutes of the game, until a penalty put the home side in front.

The ensuing barrage of attack then reaped rewards for the home side, with their forwards breaking through the centre of the Biggy defence to score two converted tries within a 10 minute window. 

Biggy didn’t buckle and applied pressure with some exceptional movement of the ball. Playing quick, creative rugby, they made space on the far wing and almost crossed the line with John Richardson, with only a high tackle by the last defender keeping him out.

A mirror image play on the other wing saw another high tackle halt Kareem Davis before the line. The resulting penalty formed the foundation for the Biggy pack to edge towards the try line, drawing in defenders until the miss pass from Ben Cowling at 10 put Richardson through in the corner.

Biggy piled on the pressure, but lost momentum as they went down to 14 men when the ball was kicked away out of frustration after a decision that didn’t go their way.

With a man short, Biggy held strong for the majority of the 10 minutes, but the superior numbers meant Spalding exploited a gap and broke through to score their third converted try. Half time score: 24-5

Biggy started strongly after the break, pinning the home team in their 22. The pressure payed off as captain Dom Knott crashed over from close range.

Spalding’s restart was collected well by Biggy with some great movement of the ball seeing them camp in the opposition’s 22 once more.

Excellent linking play between backs and forwards saw a short pop to Luke Dillinger in behind the Spalding defence, leaving him to beat the final defender with his blistering pace. Elliot Tunstall converted, putting Biggy in with a fighting chance at 24-17 with 15 minutes left. 

An injury meant that Biggy had to move some players in the back line. A missed pass was intercepted by an alert Spalding player, allowing them to score under the posts with an easy conversion for their reliable kicker.

Biggy continued to play hard and kept several potential tries out with committed tackling by Jack Sharp and Richardson, but the constant onslaught ended with Spalding crossing the line one more time. 

Biggleswade came away justifiably proud of their performance and determined that a win will come soon.

Photos by Lisa Dillinger