Biggar 26

Dumfries 29

Al Stewart at Hartree Mill

IT seems that Biggar’s matches this season are proving to be not only particularly exciting affairs but also full of incident.

On Saturday Biggar collected two points courtesy of their losing- and try- bonuses, with Dumfries picking up a maximum five from their part in the eight-try feast.

Unbeaten before the match and unbeaten after the match, Dumfries were delighted to record their win and so they should be, their side easily the best prepared Biggar have encountered to date and clearly relishing their promotion from National Three last season.

An early barrage of attacking play by the visitors saw Biggar on the ropes.

Dumfries ran at great pace, posing all sorts of questions to the Biggar side.

Within three minutes of the start a rumble by Dumfries prop Scott Goodwin saw the Biggar line breached and gave fullback Sam Hiddleston a relatively easy run in under the posts.

John Carlisle easily added the conversion for 7-0.

Robbie Lavery got back well to thwart a breenge by hooker Zeke Dyson and Carlisle missed a penalty while a break by Hiddleston on the right flank should have perhaps seen Dumfries score again, with Biggar just managing to scramble back and defend their line.

Biggar’s defence has not been under just as much sustained pressure in any other game.

Another penalty from Carlisle proved tantalisingly close as it rebounded off the upright and which had Biggar scrambling as Warnock tidied again and Green kicked clear.

Ironically, however, the next try came not from a sortie by Dumfries but instead as a result of a real mix up.

Stand off Carne Green shaped to go and pass left but his pass fell to the ground as the Biggar centres collided, the ball kicked on and then picked up gratefully by Carlisle who ran through for a score, which he again converted for 14-0.

Just 10 minutes later Hiddleston crashed through the despairing Biggar defence for a third Dumfries try which, when converted, gave them a 21-0 lead.

Just minutes later and another Dumfries penalty was converted for 24-0.

This seemed at last to galvanise the Biggar effort, with the hosts finishing the half on the ascendancy.

Two penalties conceded by Dumfries both of which were eminently kick-able saw Biggar opt for a scrum and then a tap and go, this eventually spawning ball which Green used right. His wide pass was taken by Lavery who managed to off-load in the tackle to Alistair Sinclair who scampered over for a try and a half time score of 24-5.

Biggar began the second period in fine style although crucially they were unable to add to their tally.

Having survived this initial period Dumfries then scored their fourth try, this coming after the Biggar defence was strung wide and far, Rory Steele crossing with a wee show and go. Carlisle was off target with his wide conversion but at 29-5 it didn’t look good for the home side.

A hard won penalty gave Biggar an attacking opportunity and in similar fashion to the Dumfries score in the first half, ball won in the air by Jamie Orr was carried forward by Voas. Reive popped the ball out to Moffit, with the big man almost unstoppable from close range. Green converted for 29-12.

Biggar probed once again, and it Moffit who grabbed the next try.

His drive seemed destined to come to a swift end such was the Dumfries cover but miraculously he managed to stay on his feet before being half tackled. Able to continue on he burst through the remaining cover to stretch once again for the line. Green’s conversion made it 29-19!

With a quarter of the match still remaining it was very much a case of game well and truly on.

Continuing to press Biggar were awarded a penalty which with several minutes remaining they opted to kick for the corner.

While the initial foray was halted on the left, play was switched back to the right where Green’s long pass found Notman in acres of space and with a clear overlap.

The flanker put his head down though and crashed over for a try which when converted by Green took Biggar within 3 points at 29-26.

And so to the final minute of drama.

While Dumfries might have thought that the restart would give them good field position Biggar had different ideas and a break from Green took play deep into their opponents half. Some great interplay between Warnock, Peacock and Lavery maintained the momentum with the two Orr’s providing suitable battering rams to continue the onslaught.

A penalty award came Biggar’s way and in the middle of the park on the Dumfries 22 there was a great opportunity to tie the match.

The rest is now history, a break by Bradford and then by Bogle allowed Biggar to press but each sortie was met by stout defence. A ruck formed and for once Dumfries opted to go for the counter ruck, and as Biggar attempted to scramble the ball back referee Morrison blew for a penalty – cue manic celebrations from the Dumfries squad.

Biggar: D. Voas, E. Stewart, D. O’Connell, J. Orr, A. Warnock, C. Braid, A. Orr, D. Notman, D. Reive, C. Green, A. Sinclair, R. Moffit, R. Lavery, R. Bradford, A. Jardine. Reps: D. Voas, G. Kelly, E. Bogle, G. Stewart.