Biggar 10

Cartha Queens Park 20

Al Stewart

at Hartree Mill

IN October Biggar lost out by 20-11 to Cartha and as there was so little between the sides on that day Biggar fancied their chances of defeating the Glasgow side who are currently league leaders.

The result virtually replicated that of October with again over the piece, very little between the sides.

Fielding a big pack Cartha came out with all guns blazing, stand off Wayne Burrows kicking an early penalty for 3-0.

Quickly back onto the attack Biggar were tested by their visitors who opted for a series of close scrums as they attempted to bludgeon their way over the line.

This initial onslaught was repelled following a stout defensive effort.

Indeed having held out for so long it was a huge achievement for the side to draw level with an Aird Jardine penalty after 20 minutes.

Frustratingly once again Biggar were unable to escape their half from the restart and a series of errors where ball was lost at a defensive lineout and then following a knock-on allowed Cartha to regain their grip on the match.

Burrows did his bit in pinning the Biggar side back with some deft and varied kicks to the Biggar line. It was from one of these that a driven maul spawned a chance for prop Juan Phiffer to dot down for a try.

With 15 minutes or so left of the half Biggar were soon back in their 22 as Cartha again used their pack to pile on further pressure.

Following a lineout they enlisted the help of several of their backs to drive the maul over the line which allowed hooker Stephan Hartmann to dot down for a try.

Burrows was unable to convert either try so at 13-3 Biggar were still very much in the contest.

Another series of line drives saw a huge pile up close the Biggar line with Ross Gillies credited with the touchdown.

Burrows added the two points and so after a huge effort Biggar found themselves 20-3 adrift.

Turning around with the breeze on their backs and playing towards the clubhouse Biggar really needed an early score to unsettle the visitors.

Biggar did their best to make the breakthrough but they could not sustain pressure as close to the line as they would have liked.

The visitors employed a very direct crash ball tactic when in defence and this proved successful as Biggar were unable to sustain pressure although charges by Donald Voas, Euan Sanderson, Robbie Lavery, Gregor Stewart and Jardine did make inroads.

There were also a number of unfortunate errors which saw players check when in almost full flow.

Andrew Orr scored Biggar’s try. Jardine made a typically mazy run through the Cartha line before setting up a good ruck. Quick ball was fed left to the rampaging flanker who crashed over from some 10 metres.

Jardine’s conversion gave Biggar some hope at 20-10 but Cartha had hitherto been difficult to unlock.

The dying minutes saw Cartha unleash what was their only line break of the half but a turnover gave Biggar the chance for one last hurrah with a gritty 40 metre sprint form Voas.

His inside pass was taken by Jardine in support but he was immediately caught and the game ended as this movement was halted.

Biggar: Thomas Steele, Stuart Hull, Robbie Lavery, Gregor Stewart, Alistair Sinclair, Aird Jardine, David Reive, Donald Voas, Ewan Stewart, Dan O'Connell, Andrew Dunlop, Alan Warnock, Ewan Sanderson, Ross Jackson, Duncan Withers Reps: Andrew Orr, Lewis McClinton, Douglas Notman, Craig McDonald