Dundee 5

Biggar 52

Al Stewart

at Mayfield

Biggar opened their 2020 account with a resounding eight try win over bottom of the table Dundee.

The hosts have had a very testing season to date with just two wins, although as these were from their last three pre-Christmas matches it was felt that they were perhaps gaining some form.

But it took just three minutes for Biggar to open their account, Ross Bradford rounding off a forward line drive.

Jardine’s first conversion put Biggar 7-0 up.

Dendee were on the receiving end of a string of penalties from referee Robbie Wilson and this did nothing for their cause, Jardine sending them scurrying back into their 22.

Ewan Stewart scored his first try after the pack controlled a forward drive well from a position gained from one such penalty.

Shortly afterwards Dundee lost possession in contact with Ross Jackson ripping the ball free.

The turnover got Biggar back onto the front foot and another penalty led to Stewart rounding off the driving maul with a try.

Jardine was just off target with his 3rd attempt.

Dundee then scored their only try this coming as Biggar tried to run ball out of defence.

A pass from Conor Lavery to his left was well read by Dundee centre Chad Ward who sprinted clear. The conversion was missed but it gave Dundee reward for their efforts.

Biggar were not to be outdone however and a series of good carries from both backs and forwards saw them awarded another penalty in the Dundee 22.

Opting for the scrum the pack took two attempts before Ross Jackson trundled the ball over the line. Conversion added by Jardine made the score 26-5.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with Biggar’s next try coming just three minutes after the restart. Euan Sanderson with the touchdown. Jardine converted for 33-5.

A foray into the Dundee 22 saw winger Bertram latch onto a neat inside pass from Reive, and his pace took him past the Dundee cover for a try under the posts, which Jardine again converted for 40-5.

The following 15/20 minute middle-section was the untidiest part of the match as neither side gained sufficient control on possession to turn this into points.

There was a passage of aerial ping pong and while both sides played some enterprising and entertaining stuff, errors proved costly and so Biggar failed to add to their tally until some six minutes before the end of the match.

Biggar’s seventh try went to winger Bradford who was on hand to take full advantage of a quickly taken tap penalty.

A fitting finale to the match and one which led to beating the 50 point barrier, saw Andy Jardine scamper home for Biggar’s eighth try. His conversion gave him an excellent personal 17 point haul.

Plaudits then to all with Jackson’s rip in the first half matching Borthwick's lineout steal and Orr’s very astute play which saw the big man leap back into play to cleverly and bravely secure possession in the face of the onrushing Dundee feet.

As is their desire there will be several areas for immediate improvement but it's hard to be too critical when the score is so convincing.

Biggar: R. Orr, M. Bertram, R. Lavery, A. Jardine, R. Bradford, C. Lavery, D. Reive, P. Davidson, E. Stewart, R. Bassett, C. Borthwick, J. Orr, C. Mulligan, E. Sanderson, R. Jackson. Reps: A. Peacock, A. Warnock, L. Stewart, L. Kutze, J. Barr