BRUFC Under 13s at Beds Festival 08/03/2020
Henry Barham
Harry Burke
Connor Cortis
Logan Williams
Finley Taylor
Joshua Curson
Duncan Lewis
Thomas Forshaw
Spencer Hall
Dylan Robinson
Jack Hill
Aaron Crawley
Alfie Wilden
Henry Elwood
Donncha Blake
Biggleswade 0 - 4 Luton
Biggleswade Under 13s headed into this year’s Beds Festival at Bedford Athletic knowing they had a tough task ahead of them facing teams from Luton, Bedford A team and Ampthill A. There would also be a play-off against a team from the opposite group to finish the day’s play.
Notoriously slow starters, Biggy set about their warm-up determined to be match-ready for kick-off by playing some physical warm-up games. It looked to have paid off as Biggy put pressure on the opposition try-line early on but were unable to score. Instead, Luton took the ball back and attacked down their right and only a last-gasp tackle from Donncha and Aaron stopped the winger from scoring.
Scrum half Spencer scampered down the side of a ruck, close to touch and made 30 metres before being tackled, but support was slow to arrive so the team lost possession and momentum was lost. This was to be a feature of the match and something for the Under 13s to work on.
Luton took the ball up the middle of the pitch where they were met by good tackling from Dylan and Spencer. They spun the ball out wide and found a way through the defence to score their first try of the day.
Great ball-carrying from Logan and Josh took Biggy to within inches of the try-line but they were again denied by excellent defensive work. Luton cleared their lines once more, only for second-row Duncan to pick up the loose ball and make good ground as he charged up the touch line, much to the delight of the Biggy coaching team.
Once again Luton drove up the middle to draw in the outside backs before passing wide into space and scoring in the corner.
When playing into the wind in the second half Biggleswade found themselves penned in their own 22 for long periods and the pressure finally told towards the end of the half when Luton ran in 2 further tries. Full time: Biggy 0 – 4 Luton.
Biggleswade 1 - 8 Bedford Blues
There was just time for a quick team-talk and a few Haribos for the Under 13s before their next game against Bedford Blues A. This was a tough encounter and Biggy conceded four first half tries despite the valiant tackling efforts of Thomas and Aaron in particular.
The second half started much better when Josh caught the kick-off and ran through the entire Bedford pack then showed good speed to race clear. He even made time to turn and wave before dotting the ball down over the line! From the next phase in play, a passing move saw Biggy put the ball through six pairs of hands to release a determined Aaron into space. Good tackling from the Blues denied Biggleswade again when Henry B charged up field but Biggy didn’t score again, with Bedford taking advantage of some tired legs in a despondent Biggy team and scoring the next four tries of the match. Full time: Biggy 1 – 8 Bedford Blues.
Biggleswade 4 - 4 Ampthill
Biggleswade’s third game in a row on their third pitch of the day saw them face Ampthill, a team who they had beaten at the DPP Festival earlier in the year. We can’t be sure if it was this fact or the sugar from the Haribos, which kicked in, but Biggy set about this game with much more drive and determination. The scrummage, which had gone well all day (credit to hookers Harry and Connor), again provided a good platform for the backs to show what they can do. Strong running from Aaron broke through the first line of defence before off-loading to Dylan to give the try-scoring pass to Logan to dive over the line.
Good support was also the key to Biggy’s next try – Josh powered up field to be tackled just short of the opposition 22. His forward pack, led by Fin, were there right behind him to win back the ball before crisp passing through the hands of Spencer and Dylan put Thomas into space on the Biggy left. Thomas got on the outside of the tackler and popped a lovely pass back inside to Aaron to race over for the try.
Ampthill came back with a classy try of their own after a run down the right, a kick infield and slick handling skills saw them score in the left corner despite the best efforts of Henry E covering across. Another dart down the blind side and chip ahead almost came off for Spencer only for the full back to cover across. He was duly dumped into touch by the Biggy scrum half to set up a good attacking position again. Ampthill scored again with a soft try before half time when poor tackling and positional play allowed them over the line.
Ampthill appeared to be hypnotised by the dancing feet and change of pace from Donncha, as he stepped around and glided through the defensive line. The forwards were there in support - Alfie, playing at Number 8 made good ground as did Harry who fought to keep possession and re-set the ball at the ruck. A tap-and-go penalty from Spencer left Ampthill offside, resulting in a further penalty and a dummy pass in the direction of the Biggy forwards, which fooled the defence enough for Spencer to dive then reach over and score.
Ampthill were not finished though and broke through the defensive line, two dummy passes being enough to hold the Biggy defence for a split second and allow them through to score. Again they drove up the pitch before passing wide, taking advantage of a narrow Biggy defensive line and scored a try to put them in the lead with just seconds to go. The Biggy forwards were in determined mood however and took the ball forward from the kick-off then passed out to Dylan on the left. Using a combination of dummies and side-steps to beat the defenders, he made it to the try-line and just about got downward pressure on the ball to score and level up the game in the final play. Full Time: Biggy 4 – 4 Ampthill
Biggleswade 2 - 3 Leighton Buzzard
After a hot-dog and 20 minutes rest, Biggy had to stretch their tired legs onto the pitch to play Leighton Buzzard in their final game of the day. Josh once again led from the front with some strong carries but it was Dylan who scored the first try after stepping around a couple of defenders and finding himself in open space on the half way line. He showed good determination to make it to the line with a flock of Buzzards hunting him down. A missed tackle allowed the opposition in for one try and a fine piece of individual skill by the Buzzard No 10 put them in front. He chipped the ball over the Biggy defence, caught it on the full and grounded the ball between the posts. Biggy came back into the game when Donncha made space for Aaron to pin his ears back and set off on a run around the defence and scorch through to the try line. Some tired tackling allowed Leighton Buzzard back up the pitch to score the decisive try of the game. Full Time: Biggy 2 – 3 Leighton Buzzard
The squad of 15 players of Biggleswade Under 13s did themselves proud, showing plenty of determination and team spirit against some tough opponents. It is to their credit that they came back with full commitment and scored some good tries and all with a smile on their faces.
Try scorers: Josh Curson, Aaron Crawley (2), Dylan Robinson (2), Logan Williams, Spencer Hall
Player of the Day: Duncan Lewis
Grafter of the Match: Logan Williams
