WITH a week to go before the league campaign starts, Biggar Colts were looking to build on the previous week and put in a good performance against Hamilton in a pre-season friendly.

This they did although it took some time before the upper hand was gained.

The match was split into three sections to allow the coaches to switch players and look at different combinations.

In the first period Hamilton fielded a strong line up and it was indeed a close fought period with both teams cancelling each other out. Stuart Affleck was continually testing Hamilton and was gaining yardage throughout the period.

Both had chances but often last passes were not going to hand and so denying scores. As the period was near completion Biggar were rewarded with the 1st score after a good build up of forwards hitting up the ball was put out to the backs but although it was erratic play Euan Bogle was able to capitalise on some space to go over for an unconverted try.

The Biggar back line was totally revamped for the second period and the rest of the forwards who did not start came on. Hamilton also made changes but unfortunately could not cope with the  continual strong running of Mark Ewart. Ross Jackson and  Stuart Affleck who were excelling.

Biggar moved down the park with strong running and then were using the blind side to exploit with Douglas Hill putting the ball out to Ross Jackson who positioned himself right on the touch line to then take the pass and storm up the blind with no defence to face for a try.

Biggar were now in control and Andrew Jardine broke through to then offload to Ross Jackson outside him to go over for another try which was converted by Euan Bogle.

The last try of this period was from a stolen lineout close to the Hamilton line and William Grieve took the chance to go over from the drive. From well out Euan Bogle put an excellent conversion over.

Right from the start of the third period Biggar took the upper hand with Scott Thomson going over following a loose ball. Not only was Scott ever present all day but his defence was ferocious and made a real difference.

Ross Jackson was also ever present as is his wont, Mark Ewart made his mark with his bullish runs which allowed him to gain yards while William Grieve and Kyle Anderson formied a strong duo in defence. William is certainly setting his mark as the captain and is a leader for the boys.

In the backs Andrew Jardine and Rory McGinn were causing problems but too often the last pass in moves was not going to hand or players were not putting the last pass away at the right time.

Next try came from some good running from the backs and it was Henry Adams who made good yards before offloading to Andrew Jardine to go over for a converted try.       Stuart Affleck was  putting in his best performance to date with his running and it was down to him with the last try for Biggar as he stormed up the field before passing to Andrew Jardine who went over for a converted try.

Hamilton did not give up and indeed produced some good play which was stopped by Scott Thomson initially but later their Number 8 found a gap and went over for a converted try.