Highland 19

Biggar 7

Al Stewart

at Canal Park

In the corresponding fixture last season Highland were protecting a long unbeaten run of wins at home and in a close fought match Biggar did just enough to sneak the win and break that run.

On this occasion Biggar were protecting an unbeaten run of some 12 league matches.

And in a very similar type of contest, which was dominated to a large extent by a howling gale, it was Highland who prospered to end Biggar’s run.

Highland played aggressively and made the most of all the chances that came their way.

In contrast Biggar lacked their customary accuracy and struggled to gain any consistency particularly after the break when, with the wind at their backs, they should have been able to boss the game more.

Both sides opted to play a tight game with the packs taking short pop passes and hitting up to gain ground.

This was largely well executed by all with of course close quarter defence the only possible answer.

Highland crossed the line first, their try from Craig Findlater coming after 12 minutes as predictably due to the wind, Biggar struggled to escape their half.

The try was converted by stand off Scott Fraser.

From the restart Biggar then enjoyed a longish passage of possession although this was essentially deep in their own half as they tried to break out.

After some great defence by Biggar they were rewarded with a try before the interval.

Robbie Orr sprinted up field and into the Highland half. It took two men to halt his progress but he cleverly found winger Mark Bertram who swapped passes with Rowan Stewart before crossing just to the left of the posts.

The score was converted by Lavery.

Playing against a really strong wind is always incredibly challenging. Playing with the wind is not always as easy as one might think and this was certainly the case for both sides on Saturday.

Biggar certainly found this tough but they also met a home XV which seemed to up their game.

The astro turf often provides a more unpredictable bounce but a Biggar kick early in the second half was taken by Findlater who initiated a breakout.

Crush, Fraser, Stuart McDonald-Butler and Steven Rutledge were all involved in a sweeping try for Highland.

A narrow lead for the hosts at 12-7.

At the start of the fourth quarter Highland struck again with what turned out to be the decisive score.

A passage of attacking play seemed to stall as Chisholm threw a massive pass right. It was gathered on the touchline however and a phase later, a pop pass from Crush found lock Oscar Baird who burst through in the midfield before sprinting clear of the Biggar defence.

Fraser kicked the conversion for 19-7.

There was still time for a riposte but try as Biggar did they could find no way through the Highland line.

Biggar now turn their attention to the visit of Ayr. This will be another tough encounter and it would be important to bounce back.

Biggar: R. Orr, M. Bertram, A. Jardine, R. Stewart, R. Bradford, J. Barr, L. Kutze, D. Voas, C. Milligan, R. Basset, A. Peacock, J. Campbell, E. Sanderson, L. Stewart, R. Jackson. Reps: D. Voas, P. Davidson, C. Borthwick, D. Reive and C. Lavery.