BIGGAR Rugby's focus this weekend past was on the pitch opening celebrations of Friday night.

With snow covering the pitch on Thursday evening and still there on Friday morning there was a discussion over whether the ceremony would have to be postponed.

But a slightly milder morning allowed the pitches to be lined and the event to go ahead as planned.

The project has been some 18 months in completion although the plans have been on the go for some time longer.

The Clyde Valley Windfarm, South Lanarkshire Council, SAC (Scottish Agricultural College), Sportscotland and Sportsmasters were all instrumental in the bring the dream to reality - and all were invited to the pre-event dinner.

Also present were the two very proud project leaders, Peter McDonald and Nigel Pacey, who have taken the project through from start to finish.

Already busy with existing committee roles they have shown great commitment and deserve great praise for their efforts as quite simply without them there would be on new pitches or floodlights.

Aileen Campbell (Minister for Public Health and Sport) and the Right Honourable David Mundell (Secretary of State for Scotland) joined the guests and many other members who have contributed to the project for a fantastic meal provided by Caroline Cairns.

The party then made its way outside to the pitch where they found a quite incredible turnout of club members, players and friends - in excess of 700.

This in itself created organisational problems but after a short speech from Ms Campbell, where she acknowledged the support of the Biggar RFC Community and of the town and surrounding area to the project's success, the crowd joined in with a countdown prior to the official switch on.

Biggar Pipe Band played as the players made their way onto the pitches to prepare for a group photo with Aileen.

The aim of the evening was to showcase the new pitches and floodlights and this was achieved in great style, the three pitches brim-full of youngsters involved in sport – a wonderful sight!

There was a senior rugby match between Biggar and a Lanarkshire Select XV, made up of Hamilton and Dalziel rugby clubs, while there was also inter-club rugby for the Youth section and inter-club football between members of Biggar United Juniors.

It was still very cold but, undeterred, all played their part and all expressed delight over the surface and the lights.

At half time it was time to see the Biggar Mini section in action with a game between the P6/7 group while the Biggar Branch of Law Athletics also put on a show with several invitation 100 metre sprint races.

The Select XV got the better of Biggar in a very entertaining and fast match but while this result was important it wasn't the main reason for being there, this being to get folks playing sport and test the surface.

Post match the players and spectators retired to the clubhouse to continue the celebrations.

A delighted and very happy and proud rugby club.