Ardrossan 24

Biggar 22

Al Stewart at Memorial Field

ARDROSSAN had not won a game game prior to this meeting and while this may have been a contributory factor in that Biggar were over-confident a quick look at their previous results would have shown that while they had lost games heavily they had also scored points taking Kelso to the wire and losing by just two points.

On a very bright yet chilly November day, Andrew Dunlop drew first blood, the No 8 picking up from the scrum base as they shunted the Ardrossan eight back to score a try converted by Richard Peacock.

Ewan Sanderson was on the end of Dunlop's pass just minutes later, the flanker scoring Biggar's second to give them a 12-0 lead.

Too easy perhaps? Coach Gary Mercer has seen his side perform so much better at home although this opening spell was very good, Biggar dominating in most areas.

That Ardrossan scored next was largely down to Biggar being short-handed. Dunlop capping off a incident-filled opening 20 by receiving the first of the three yellow cards dished out to Biggar.

A kick to the corner and subsequent line drive saw Ardrossan get their first points.

Undeterred Peacock added his penalty for 15-5 just before the break.

Biggar began the second period with an error on the restart.

A steel at the breakdown gave Biggar a little respite but ball was kicked straight to the Ardrossan midfield which began a counter. Winning a penalty Anderson kicked for 15-8.

Just minutes later and Anderson repeated the feat, narrowing Biggar's lead to just four points as he kicked his second penalty.

To frustrate the visitors even more Biggar were penalised at scrum time for an early push and then saw a scoring pass dropped close to the line.

Anderson kicked again for 15-14

Things momentarily looked up however as a neat break by centre Robbie Lavery saw the Australian make a determined run to the line for a try which Peacock converted for 22-14.

Another error on the restart had Biggar back in their 22 where they had to defend the driven line.

A great steel by Sanderson saw the flanker make a breenge midfield the support not quite quick enough with a penalty for not releasing the result and 22-17 the score, as Anderson converted.

While the Ardrossan eight struggled for the most part in the tight scrum they handled the maul well, Zander Lyon blamed for bringing this down illegally and becoming the next Biggar player to spend a spell on the touchline.

Paterson was the next player to be shown yellow, the wee winger deemed to have dump tackled fullback Duncan.

Biggar were down to 13, making their task ever more difficult.

The big fullback recovered sufficiently to allow him to continue and his influence was crucial as he again fielded a Biggar clearance to then set off on a counter attack on the left. His wide pass found Hunter who set off for the corner. Until this point Biggar's defence had been sound but two tackles were missed as the winger scampered home, Jackson's try-line tackle a brave effort but in a position that was never going to stop the Ardrossan man from scoring.

Needless to say stand off Anderson added the conversion to give his side the lead at 24-22.

There was some light for Biggar as they quickly returned to the Ardrossan 22 where they won a penalty.

Peacock's strike was good enough but the ball drifted left in front of the posts giving Ardrossan the chance to clear their lines which they did with a booming drop out deep into the Biggar half.

Biggar: Richard Peacock, Alistair Sinclair, Robbie Lavery, Gregor Stewart, David Paterson, Iain Chisholm, David Reive, Donald Voas, Ewan Stewart, Calvin Henderson, , Jamie Orr, Zander Lyon, Ewan Sanderson, Ross Jackson, Andrew Dunlop Reps: , Dan O'Connell, Aird Jardine, Andrew Orr.