Having performed strongly against Watsons at Hartree Mill a fortnight ago Biggar failed to turn up last week.

On recent evidence home advantage is definitely a crucial factor. Watsons were tested by the narrow pitch and on Saturday Biggar handled the blustery conditions much better than Aberdeen.

The hosts used the wind to good effect in the first half to clear their lines and then only kicking sparingly when faced with the elements after the break.

In contrast Aberdeen’s attempts to kick out of their 22 in the first half ended with the ball ballooning backwards while in the second period they tried to run and kicked downfield poorly.

But it was not as simple as that. Biggar always relish visits by city sides and they were boosted by the return of several key players.

Injury prevented David Paterson and Graeme Hunter from playing, Michael McKeand shifting out to play in a third different position in as many weeks with the stand-off berth going to the fit-again Andrew Watt. Craig Bachurzewski and Giles Boland returned at prop and centre while three quarter John Smart made a return to the squad on the bench.

The initial exchanges saw a young Grammar XV take the game to Biggar and they had the better of this part of the game, their centres, and Fijian Peceli Nacamavuto in particular, giving plenty indication that they would be a handful unless quickly shut down. The wind played havoc with the early lineouts, the first three being stolen by the opposition jump but with neither side really able to make the final yards to the line.

For Biggar, Charles Cochrane made an early impact with some really industrious play to steel ball at the breakdown and to make things difficult for Aberdeen at the back of the lineout.

Boland too made some good ground with deft footwork but it was the visitors who scored first, a quickly taken tap penalty seeing play taken up the middle by Nacamavuto who got in behind the Biggar defence before off-loading to the supporting fullback Alex Ratcliffe who crossed the line.

A successful conversion made it 7-0 and worse was to follow for Biggar as McKeand limped off with a hamstring pull sustained when he chased the try scorer to the line.

However, Biggar did manage to hit back almost immediately as Andy King broke before prodding the ball through the Aberdeen line. While the race to the ball was lost the position wasn’t and following another surge by Biggar, referee Matt Duncan penalised the visitors, King slotting the penalty for 7-3.

The restart was well taken by Boland whose mazy run created the position for Davy Reive to kick the ball downfield to keep the pressure firmly on the Grammar side. A blindside move then saw Smart glide between two Grammar defenders to create a 2 on 1 which Boland was able to exploit for a try which King converted well for 10-7.

Another slick passing movement saw King and Bertram combine well but while the surge came to nothing Craig Simmons took advantage of a penalty to take ball forward. Prop Donald Voas was on hand to continue the move, his drive ending in a deserved try. King added the conversion. With the break approaching Biggar ended the half in the best of ways with their third score to go with a 24-7 interval lead.

Biggar could add only a penalty in the second period and failed to record the vital fourth and bonus point try. Had they managed its they would now be sitting in 8th rather than joint 10th Grammar hasd the upperhand in the second period the wind worked its 'magic’ although Biggar created several chances.

With three quarters of the match gone Biggar managed to add three points to their tally, this after a 'free’ ball saw Bertram take a speculative pot at goal. King added the penalty for 27-7.

The restart gave Grammar their best field position of the match and with Pearce somewhat harshly sin-binned Grammar had a numerical advantage.

This they exploited almost immediately as another tap penalty saw some determined running from the pack culminating in a try for flanker Chris Jollands.

Some concerted pressure from Grammar finally told as Jollands broke the line to score the vistors’ third score.

This was an encouraging performance for Biggar. Grammar are a young side and have not had a great start to their season but they are nonetheless a competent outfit and one which will only get better. It was important to get the match points and to deny the visitors a losing bonus so those objectives were both achieved.

For coach Gavin Blackburn, consistency is theimmediate aim. The side is getting better while their style of play with ball being run at pace will ensure support from the Biggar membership.

This Saturday sees the squad travel to second top GHA, where nothing less than a massive effort will be required to take the honours. Almost as importantly however, Biggar must ensure they give another determined performance with no repeat of the Stewarts-Melville game. Supporters are asked to check the website for the kick off time. GHA have floodlights and may request a 3pm kick off although it’s scheduled kick off for 2pm.

Biggar: Scot Swankie, Mark Bertram, Andy King, Giles Boland, Michael McKeand, Andrew Watt, David Reive, Donald Voas, Ewan Stewart, Craig Bachurzewski, Callum Taylor, Jamie Orr, Charles Cochrane, McKenzie Pearce, Craig Simmons(Captain). Replacements: Andrew Muir, Andrew Peacock, Calvin Henderson, Jonno Smart