Biggar hit the skids in Dunfermline

Published 11 Dec 2009 11:50 0 Comments

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Dunfermline 19 v 17 Biggar

BIGGAR slumped to their third consecutive league defeat against bottom side Dunfermline who as a result recorded just their second league win this season.

Their only other triumph being against Border side Jedforest who coincidentally are Biggar's next opponents.

Coach Ants Posa made a few changes for this latest game, Michael Dunlop making his first league appearance at hooker, and centre Douglas Notman making a return after an appearance last week for the 2nds, this after a shoulder injury sustained against Stirling County back in September also.

On a sticky, heavy pitch Biggar opened strongly with some promising surges from Scott Cameron and Kevin Anderson, these leading to possession in the Dunfermline half and the award of a penalty which Notman converted to put his side 3-0 up.

This was relatively short-lived as the host XV gave note of their forward power with a textbook driven line which had Biggar on the back foot and which led to a try.

Although the conversion was missed this was a warning of what was to become a favourite tactic for the Fife side.

The pitch and Biggar's relative size meant that the Biggar XV would spend much of the day on the defensive.

As Dunfermline managed to exert scrum pressure Andrew Peacock came on to replace Dunlop with Anderson moving to hooker.

This helped Biggar as they sought to stem Dunfermline and with another foray into their hosts 22 a training ground move saw Simeon James cross for an excellent try.

Unfortunately, and as it turned out, crucially, the conversion was missed although this meant that Biggar went in at half time ahead by 8-5.

Much of this second period was fairly even, although there was always the danger that Dunfermline would be able to use their pack to good effect as Biggar tried sometimes in vain, to kick themselves clear of their lines.

A couple of penalties were converted and this increased the lead to 14-5.

A slightly unlucky Notman was then sent to the sin bin, the referee adjudging that his tackle was dangerous and this again forced coach Posa into a change of plan, the centre having been due to give way to Conor Lavery.

As it was the pressure that Dunfermline was able to exert from the resultant penalty, and others, paid off, a series of close scrums and line drives though initially thwarted by some stout Biggar defence almost inevitably leading to a try being awarded.

The conversion kicked and the score 14-12.

A third Biggar penalty ensured that they entered the last quarter ahead and with a score between the two sides Biggar should have been able to hold on but when things are agin you, these simple tasks are much easier said then done, never mind the fact that the Fife side were sensing a rare win.

Another series of driving plays took Biggar onto their goal line and a final surge took play over the line and obviously clear enough for the try to be awarded, and this in the final minute of some 6 long minutes of extra time.

The try drew the score at 17-17 but the successful conversion gave Dunfermline their win, and although Biggar claimed a losing bonus point, it was not what they wished.

This was an opportunity lost and means that the next two games take on much added significance.

Biggar. Alistair Browning, Andrew Goodall, Simeon James, Douglas Notman, Michael McKeand ; Sam Muir (captain), David Reive; Kevin Anderson, Michael Dunlop, Scott Cameron, Fraley Hopa, Andrew Cairns, Grant Owens, Hugh Green, Jason Kelly. Substitutes - Chris McKeand, James Green, Andrew Peacock, Conor Lavery.

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 11 Dec 09

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