No bonus for Biggar against Jed
Published 5 Nov 2010 09:30
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Jedforest 26 v 18 Biggar
Biggar failed to pick up a losing bonus in this trip to the Borders and with results elsewhere not at all favourable the scene is set for a challenging second half to the season.
Biggar began in fine style and for the opening 10 to 15 minutes, and played some great rugby with both power and pace from the pack and backs alike.
Indeed there was much concern from the Jed faithful at the amount of time Biggar spent in the home half and at the number of penalties they conceded in this spell.
A Craig Parker penalty after four minutes, and then an excellent try from Michael McKeand courtesy of a fine line break by Gardiner was all that Biggar had to show for this opening period however, Parker just wide with the conversion.
In contrast and in what was virtually their first foray into Biggar territory, Jed kicked a penalty through Chris Laidlaw to put their marker down at 8-3.
Biggar made a number of soft errors with interceptions and knock-ons spoiling much of the preparatory work. To add to this referee Jean-Marie Burel issued a yellow card to Salo Faamausili as he clung on in the tackle. Not only were Biggar a man down but Laidlaw kicked the resultant penalty for 8-6.
On the half hour mark Jed were penalised for taking too long at the lineout with an Anderson charge - one of several typically robust drives for the wee man - earned a penalty which Parker kickedto extend the lead.
With just five minutes to go until half time Jed scored what was a crucial try, coming as it did in a half in which they had largely been outplayed. The try was credited to centre Gary Hill following a forward drive and with Laidlaw kicking the conversion.
Biggar managed to halt Jed’s early second-half progress but what should have been a relatively straightforward scrum ball and clearance was botched with the initiative yielded once more to the home side who then won the turnover, the pick up and the race to the line with prop Rob Ferguson scoring. Laidlaw added the conversion for 20-11.
Biggar replied just five minutes later as Conor Lavery made a vital break. His show of the ball took him behind the first line of defence and his offload to Gardiner gave the big man a run in and score. Parker took the gap to just two points with the conversion.
Jed’s pack took control again however and this ensured they were soon back into the Biggar 22 where inevitably another penalty was conceded, Laidlaw doing the needful for 23-18.
A missed Laidlaw penalty gave Biggar some hope but the stand-off made amends just minutes alter with a drop goal from midfield, a feat which few could have predicted as an option. At 26-18, Biggar had some 10 minutes in which to snatch either a bonus point or even a win, but try though they did, Jed held out.
Biggar S. Watson, C. Parker, S. James, J. Gardiner, M. McKeand , C. Lavery, D. Reive, S. Cameron, K. Anderson, S. Tutaia, S. Ffaamausili, , A. Cairns, A. Muir, J. Kelly, L. McLachlan Reps: I. Renwick, M. Hamilton, C. Arthur, R. Peacock
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 05 Nov 10
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