Howe of Fife 20

Biggar 24

Al Stewart at Duffus Park

In very pleasant autumnal conditions Biggar kicked off playing up the not insignificant slope.

The early exchanges were relatively even with both sides conceding penalties at what appeared to be an alarming rate.

Howe opened their account from one such penalty but Carne Green was uncharacteristically off target with a kick which would have tied the scores.

Howe hooker Connor Crawford was yellow carded for another offside, and Green kicked well this time to tie the scores at 3-3.

In a breakout Green then saw his grubber blocked with Howe gaining only a slight advantage which was then negated as Biggar stole possession. A great touchline step and turn of pace then saw winger Alistair Sinclair leave the Howe cover almost all in his wake bar for a flailing hand which was enough to knock him off his stride.

Howe regained their lead after David Paterson was caught as he sought to run out of defence, and stand off Cameron Ellison kicked the penalty.

Half time came with nothing between the sides and with everything to play for.

It’s never good to concede a try at any point in a match but just before or just after half time can often be match winners.

Biggar suffered this as almost directly from the restart - a neat backs move saw Howe’s William Wardlaw take full advantage off a missed tackle to step through and behind the Biggar defence. Having made the break he popped the ball back inside to his fellow centre Duncan McIntyre who galloped in under the posts. Ellison added the conversion.

Just as quickly as Howe had scored so Biggar were able to reply.

Having won a penalty which Green dispatched to the corner Biggar made to catch and drive, a tactic they seldom use with any real conviction – until Saturday that is when with Douglas Notman in charge, the pack drove the Howe eight back with some ease before Notman collapsed over the line for a timely try.

Green made no mistake and at 13-10 Biggar were right back in the mix.

A penalty shortly afterwards by Green tied the scores with a half hour remaining.

Biggar then enjoyed their best period of the match as they played the game almost solely in the Howe half.

Green kicked again for 16-13.

Flanker Ewan Sanderson rounded off a very enterprising passing sequence which saw ball moved quickly to beat the Howe cover. Bradford’s break paved the way but the score was made by the swift passing from Lavery and then Sinclair.

Green was unable to land the conversion but at 21-13 Biggar had opened up a gap.

Howe came back into things with lock forward Ryan Milne making the initial break before getting the ball inside to his supporting winger Cameron Patrick who crashed over. Ellison’s conversion made it a one point match with 12 minutes remaining.

Biggar hit back once again virtually from the restart as Howe desperately trying to break out but being penalised as Biggar competed at the breakdown.

Green struck again for 24-20.

Biggar were then forced into a rearguard action as they were pushed back into their half.

That Biggar held out is to their real credit.

Biggar: D. Voas, A. Orr, . Braid, J. Orr, A. Peacock, E. Sanderson, A. Warnock, D. Notman, D. Reive, C. Green, A. Sinclair, G. Stewart, R. Lavery, D. Paterson, R. Bradford Reps: A. Nimmo, D. O’Connell, R. Moffat, A. Jardine.