Leaders prove too strong for the Biggleswade Firsts

This was not to be the case as they came up against a very big, strong and well-drilled Birstall team, who currently lead the Midlands 4 East (South), going down 31-5.

It took the hosts just five minutes to put points on the scoreboard, with a try under the posts.

Fifteen minutes in, and the scoreline rose to 19-0.

Captain Gavin Taylor and pack leader Jake Devereux did everything they could to motivate the side and up the aggression levels to deal with the huge opposition pack.

Biggleswade’s defence absorbed wave after wave of attack, then - against the flow of play - Will Roake chased his own kick to fly hack the ball over the Birstall line and put the ball down for a well-earned individual try.

Birstall came back strongly, with slick hands and excellent support running lines saw them score a further try just before the break, making the score 26-5.

Biggy needed to regroup and rouse the team spirit they’ve developed over the season. Playing for pride, and inspired by the half time talk, the tackles got lower and the speed in defence was noticeably quicker, leading to less opportunities for the Birstall backs to attack.

Some crunching tackles from Taig Norman led the way and the battle in the centre of the field began to look like an even contest. A slight reshuffle of the team took place when Jake Mulholland-Dear came on for injured Burman,

Despite Biggy’s improvement, the strength and pace of Birstall enabled them to cross Biggleswade’s try line with 20 minutes still to play.

Biggleswade Seconds were beaten 32-26 at Bishop Stortford Abbots in a friendly.

The home side, including a few debutants, scored the first two tries before Biggy clicked and ran in the next four.

First, Jacob Martin went over in the corner following a deft grubber from Cameron Plant. This followed some expansive play which saw John Marler shift the ball out and Mike Barker running a superb line to break through.

Ed Rogers soon went over next with classic route-one rugby as the forwards ran phases to tire out the defence.

Debutant Will Perry, having dominated several collisions, picked up the ball and fended off several players to score under the sticks.

Another attacking play saw Ed Rogers break through an offload to Jack Unite, who then recycled the ball quickly with the supporting Rogers went over the line for another converted try.

The half time break interrupted Biggleswade’s momentum and the side, with just 15 players, tired in the second half.