Biggar 55

Preston Lodge 12

Al Stewart

at Hartree Mill

BIGGAR brought their league campaign to a close with another comprehensive, bonus point win, to put visitors Preston Lodge to the sword and give them a real fighting chance of finishing in 5th spot.

On what would almost equate to a ‘spring’ afternoon, Biggar began where they had left off last week at West, throwing the ball about as often as possible and running penalties whenever they could.

This tactic paid dividends and had their opponents in all sorts of bother, a series of errors – something which admittedly on another day might have proved costly – preventing them from running up a cricket score, though 55 is still a handsome return.

Conor Lavery opened the Biggar account after just six minutes, a nice show and go flumoxing the visiting defence from close range. He added the conversion for 7-0.

Just short of the 20 minute mark and Biggar added a second try as Robbie Lavery and Rowan Stewart combined well on the left flank to create a simple score for the former. The other Lavery was wide with the conversion.

A marginal forward pass in the Preston backs saved Biggar but shortly afterwards a penalty gave the home team the chance to kick to the corner. A training ground move saw play taken to the five metre area and after a breenge to the line from Moffat, scrum half Luhann Kotze burrowed under the defence for a fine try. Lavery converted from in front of the posts for 19-0.

An Andrew Orr midfield surge carried on by Conor Lavery came unstuck as an offload failed to go to hand but minutes later Biggar profited from a great Jamie Orr lineout take to give the backs another tilt at the line.

An interception threatened to put paid to this score but Rowan Stewart gathered to take the ball forward where he found winger Ross Bradford in support to go over for try number four. The conversion from Lavery put Biggar ahead at 26-0, and within sight of half time.

There was still time for another however, Gregor Stewart taking the restart to set up a ruck, and with ball recycled quickly, Kotze needed no second invitation to pick and go, the youngsters sprint and then acceleration leaving the defence in his wake.

A fourth conversion from Lavery saw Biggar clear at 33-0.

A Biggar try after five minutes of the restart came from Calvin Henderson which saw the prop over for his second try in as many games.

Unsurprisingly Preston Lodge, who last week had recorded a surprise win over Peebles, came back into things after this, as they enjoyed a period of much better play.

While the home side coped with this fairly well pressure eventually told and Scott King forced his way over, with Guy Hillhouse converting for 38-7.

Biggar then rang the changes as they brought on their bench. Matthew Stewart was the first, he taking over at centre with Moffat resuming at flanker. Indeed Moffat was next on the score sheet as a result of his being closer to the action, Lavery’s conversion just drifting wide.

Shortly after the restart stand off Lavery created space for Matthew Stewart the youngster timing his pass to the supporting Robbie Lavery to perfection to allow him to nab his second score of the afternoon.

Lewis Stewart, Craig Muir and Euan Bogle all came into the action at this point.

Rowan Stewart ran a great line off his wing with a juggle helping create space for the try which Bogle converted.

With Biggar chasing the 60 point total, Preston Lodge had the last word, centre Paul Dixon making the most of a decent attack as referee George Pounder awarded a handful of penalties. The try was unconverted and as this was the last kick of the match, Biggar were home and dry at 55-12.

Biggar: D. Voas, E. Stewart, C. Henderson, A. Warnock, J. Orr, R. Jackson, G. Stewart, A. Orr, L. Kutze, C. Lavery, R. Stewart, R. Moffat, R. Lavery, R. Bradford, A. Jardine. Reps: C. Muir, E. Bogle, L. Stewart, M. Stewart.