Biggar blow away Melrose with second-half surge

Biggar 42

David Morrison

at The Greenayrds

IT was a game of two halves at the Greenyards on Saturday.

Although Biggar won both, at least for the first 40 minutes this was a close encounter.

The champions elect took full advantage of the conditions following the break to show why they are almost certain to claim the National One championship.

With the wind at their backs Melrose took an early lead through David Colvine's penalty.

But the visitors responded with some powerful play from the pack which ended with Richard Bassett barging over for a try.

Andrew Jardine kicked the conversion.

The wind made life difficult for both teams and it was a mistake from Biggar which allowed the ball to be punted through in the lead up to Aidan Cross's try in the corner.

Colvine managed to capture the wind perfectly to sail his conversion between the posts.

But just before the interval, with Thomas Brown having been set to the bin, Biggar responded with another Bassett try.

Jardine made it 14-10 with the conversion.

The torrential rain and strong winds made it an even more unpleasant second half for the brave souls who had turned out to watch.

And Biggar's control soon put an end to the contest.

Chris Mulligan rounded off another series of drives in the 46th minute.

Again Jardine added the extras.

Before the hour the Hartree Mill side had secured the bonus point with Euan Sanderson finding plenty of space to cross the line.

Indiscipline in the home ranks led to a further yellow card before Richard Ferguson was shown red.

Biggar continued to press and they were rewarded with a further two tries - from Ross Jackson and Robbie Orr - to conclude a miserable afternoon for the Melrose support.

Melrose: D Colvine, A Cross, G McWilliam, C Smit, J Brown, D Crawford, E McVicker, J Fairley, B McLean, J Dobie, T Brown, G Lindsay, A Bradfield, G Runciman, T Andrews. Reps: R Ferguson, C Fairbairn, J Cox, D Crawford & A Spencer.

Biggar: R Hutton, R Bradford, R Lavery, C Lavery, R Stewart, A Jardine, L Kotze, D Voas, E Stewart, R Bassett, C Borthwick, R Jackson, C Mulligan, E Sanderson & L Stewart. Reps: A Peacock, F Barr, A Warnock, M Bertram, R Orr.