Biggy much better but succumb to Vipers' bite

It was a much better performance than last week as Biggleswade bloodied two debutantes in the second row. Colts Jack Lamb and Liam Panton teamed up in the second row and both did well despite the increase in pace and intensity.

At number eight was Louis Dunderdale making a welcome comeback not having played for the team since March 2015 when he was concussed and had to take time out. Despite having little match time he relished the challenge and brought a new dimension to the side.

Also back on parade was club captain Dom Nott who spurred his troops on to greater things with several trademark carries or the ball carrier at the back of a driving maul.

Biggleswade used one such tactic right at the start of the game straight from the kick off. They trundled the ball 40 metres downfield which made the few Biggy spectators feel that their journey might have been worth the effort. This turned out to be the case and although going down again there was plenty of effort on show to lighten the heart on another cold, windy and murky afternoon. The pitch too was sticky and treacherous and within 20 minutes it was hard to tell one set of forwards from the other as both were covered in the glutinous mud.

Biggleswade with the gusty wind at their backs took the lead thanks to a successful penalty kick from Luke Haverley again with the number nine shirt on his back. Luke had another feisty afternoon but missed the last few minutes when he was binned for retaliation on his opposite number when he was barged out of the way at a scrum put in.

Vipers took the lead with a try near the posts, adding the conversion and a penalty before the break when they led 10-3. The back three of the Biggleswade line up had to work hard with both Elliott Tunstall and Karl Lofty making good clearances with the boot when under pressure. Will Roake, the third member of the trio was to be seen clearing out by picking up and driving back a Viper’s forward twice his size!

Vipers added a second try when a Biggy move broke down presenting an easy run in under the posts. But Biggleswade struck back with a hard fought try of their own. It was Liam Dunne who got the credit as he drove over two men and under another to reach the line. This came after the Biggy pack had battered away to breach the Viper’s nest. Luke Haverley adding the conversion.

However Biggy were denied a bonus point as a collapsed scrum five metres out led to the award of a penalty try under the posts. Vipers pressed hard for the bonus point but Biggleswade defended their line with courage.

The champagne moment of the match was the leap by hooker Tudo Scheibner to gather the ball when he went through on their tap down.

Biggy: D Nott, T Scheibner (D Tyson), J Caulfield, L Panton (L Price), J Lamb, M Haddow, L Dunne, L Dunderdale, L Haverley, M Hall, W Roake, C Borg, C Wilson, E Tunstall, C Lofty.