Biggar 62

Ayr 15

Al Stewart

at Hartree Mill

BIGGAR’S response after defeat by Peebles last season was an emphatic 39-0 defeat of Dumfries.

On this occasion the defeat last week by Highland saw an even more emphatic performance on Saturday as Biggar thumped Ayr by 62 points to15.

That Ayr expected a tough game was in no doubt but few would have predicted the margin of Biggar’s victory.

On a truly beautiful Saturday afternoon when Hartree Mill looked its absolute best, the opening exchanges were a tad fraught with errors on both sides.

But Biggar took the lead when, after a series of phases, Lavery dropped a neat goal from some 35 metres out.

A mix up on the restart by Biggar led to a period of pressure and with their backs linking well and displaying a decent cutting edge Ayr ran in the first try credited to stand off Morrison. Baird was just wide with the conversion.

A neat exit kick from Lavery set up the next attacking position for Biggar and having gone through a number of phases the stand off then sent a cross field kick from left to right.

Just wide of Ross Bradford the ball conveniently bounced up and into the hands of Robbie Orr who took full opportunity to nip over for Biggar’s first try, which Lavery converted for 10-5.

Ayr made a meal of the restart – this the first of three similar costly errors - and Biggar were right back in attack, Orr notching his second try within minutes of the first.

In what was now a purple patch Biggar scored their bonus point winning try from their nest foray into Ayr territory.

Ross Jackson created the position with a pick up, Luhann Kutze advanced play and Lavery rounded the move off by crossing for his first of the season.

His conversion took the score to 22-5.

A no-hands tackle by Biggar prop Richard Basset gave Baird the chance to add to Ayr’s tally for 22-8.

Biggar had the last word in this first half when Orr claimed his hat-trick, this a long run in from some 40 metres. Lavery kicked the conversion for a comfortable half time lead of 36-8.

Biggar began the second half much in the same way as they had finished the first with Mark Bertram on the end of a great move as play was swept from right to left, ending up in a score in the corner.

Ayr scored a second try, uncontested scrums giving them a stable platform from which to launch their attack.

Biggar’s evergreen replacement Alan Warnock made the most of his introduction to the match as he was on the end of a backs movement which also featured Jackson and Borthwick. Lavery kicked the conversion for 48-15.

Orr, Bradford and Kutze combined well again to take play into the Ayr half with Lavery kicking well for position.

A wonderful diving ‘save’ from Warnock as ball was tapped back was the prelude to the next try this going to Kutze who sold an outrageous dummy to catch the Ayr defence napping before skipping in under the posts for a try converted by Lavery.

Milligan made a great breenge through the Ayr defence and as the Biggar backs latched onto the opportunity it was a well-timed pass by Lavery which found Bertram for his second score of the game.

Lavery added the conversion for a Biggar total of 62 and a personal total of 22 points.

Biggar face a massive challenge this weekend when they travel to take on Gala at Netherdale.

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