Penrith 19

Biggar 43

BIGGAR made their annual jaunt down the M74 to Penrith on Saturday, this their third visit south in this series.

Unfortunately the home side were unable to field a 2nd XV and so several of the 30 strong Biggar squad did not get a run out as coach Doug Fleming continued his preparations for the forthcoming Cup match against Currie and the National league fixtures.

Included in the starting line up was Jamie Campbell who has joined Biggar from Kelvinside Academy.

As a Scotland U18 cap Jamie is a big lad and his pairing with Craig Borthwick in the second row when combined with the rest of the pack means that this was arguably the biggest pack Biggar have ever fielded.

Others making their debuts this season were skipper Euan Sanderson, centre Rowan Stewart and home again full back Robbie Orr.

In near perfect conditions – almost too hot for the new Penrith 3G surface – Biggar opened strongly and were rarely bettered in the game which was played over three-thirds.

There are still plenty of aspects of the game to work on but this was a pleasing performance with several excellent tries – including a hat-trick for returning winger Mark Bertram.

Other tries were scored by Donald Voas, Andrew Muir, Robbie Orr (plus one conversion) and Andrew Jardine (plus four conversions).

Meanwhile the defence remained tight with Penrith scoring towards the end of the match as Biggar rang the changes.