Biggar 14

Heriot's 5

Al Stewart

at Hartree Mill

THE result was the lowest scoring match of the season but a win for Biggar nonetheless and one which takes them another step closer to a second League championship and title.

The gale force conditions favoured neither side with the match turning into an arm wrestle between the forwards.

Biggar got off to a dream start which was to prove crucial.

A take by Robbie Orr from a Heriot's attacking kick set play up on the right hand side of the pitch.

Ball was transferred left with Robbie Lavery making ground before offloading to Peacock.

He gained important yards before passing to Luhann Kutze who sprinted clear for a try, which Andrew Jardine converted.

Heriot's enjoyed a large passage of play but with their attack stifled by Biggar’s defensive efforts they were able to gain only marginal yards.

They also fell foul of referee George Pounder’s interpretation of their line-out drive, with several penalties denying them the opportunity to maintain pressure in the Biggar half.

With some 25 minutes on the clock Biggar seemed to have stretched their lead with a well taken driven maul.

Unfortunately however, the maul broke apart short of the line with half of the players involved spilling into touch. Referee Pounder blew for a lineout but had missed the fact that the remaining players, mostly in the black of Biggar, were still in control of the ball and had gone on to ‘score’ a try.

The resultant line and scrum looked odds on for a try as well but a knock on in the pick up denied Biggar the score.

Conditions never let up and kicking was never an easy option with the ball flight at times resembling that of a bent banana.

The game moved to half time with all players and officials beating a hasty retreat to the relative warmth and shelter provided by the dressing rooms.

The second half opened with Heriot's on the attack and able for once to maintain possession and territory in the Biggar half.

As had been the case in the first half, getting play upfield was a major task and a combination of some good ball retention and some neat chip kicks kept Biggar pinned down.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Heriot's finally breached the Biggar defence from a catch and drive at the lineout.

Whichever side got a push on put their opponents under great pressure and so, having got the maul moving toward the Biggar line, the addition of several of the Heriots three quarter line took the ball over for the try.

The try was right on the touchline and so although the conversion attempt was well struck by Heriot's scrum half Graham Wilson the ball fell short.

Ironically, the fact that Heriot's scored gave Biggar an ‘advantage’.

The restart from Conor Lavery was kicked into the Heriot's half - an area of the pitch which had seen sparse action and as a result was firmer and which made running marginally easier.

The winning score was inspired by a neat midfield break by Jardine.

Play was taken to the Heriot's line with prop Richard Bassett the man credited with the try.

Jardine calmly stroked the conversion over to give Biggar a 14-5 lead and one which also denied Heriot's a losing bonus.

There was a tangible sense of relief from everyone at the match – both on and off the pitch - when Kutze lashed the ball into touch followed by Mr Pounder’s final whistle.

Biggar: Andrew Peacock, Euan Stewart, Richard Bassett, Craig Borthwick, Ross Jackson, Chris Mulligan, Lewis Stewart, Euan Sanderson, Lohann Kotze, Andy Jardine, Rowan Stewart, Conor Lavery, Robbie Lavery, Ross Bradford & Robbie Orr. Reps Andrew Muir, Alan Warnock, Finlay Barr, James Barr & Mark Bertram.