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Santa Night 2009 
In aid of Keech Hospice
Care
On
Saturday 12th
December 2009
Meet at the
club 6:00pm
£25 pays for your own santa suit
(boys & girls) and a drink in the first 8 pubs.
£10 deposit required ASAP
Contact Teri Taylor or Vicki
Marshall for details on 07786 080467 or 07780 520771
Or see Dave the Bra.
Biggleswade
Rugby & Squash December E-News
1949 - 2009 Sixty Years of Biggleswade Rugby
This E-News is sent blind copied and
without any logo's to over 220 members, fell free to forward it
to anyone one interested, including
those at other clubs.
Saturday 12th December is Santa Night.
Tickets for Santa Night are on sale now from Terri Taylor and Vicki
Marshall or register on the Biggy Santa Night facebook page!
For just £25 each Santa receives a suit, and a
drink in the first eight pubs and clubs visited in Biggleswade &
Sandy where the Santa's will collect cash and raise a
heap of £££££ for Keech Hospice Care www.keech.org
Meet at the club at 6pm. Please note, you must be 18+ to
take part and may require I.D.
Your £10 deposit is required NOW!
Contact numbers for Terri & Vicki are on the website.
Santa Night raised £1200 for Keech Hopsice Care last
year, lets beat it in 2009!
Bedfordshire County Cup. Biggy
play Sharnbrook in the cup on Saturday
2nd January at their Colworth House ground in
Sharnbrook. All support welcome at Sharnbrook for this much delayed
match.
As soon as the First XV League fixtures for the rest
of the season are published, they will be posted on the website and
fixture list put in the clubhouse.
The next round of the National Colts
Plate will be played on Sunday 6th December when Biggy
take on Braintree at the Essex club's ground. Times will be announced
this week.
Achievements in 2009!
*Continued playing
success from Mini, Youth, Colts and Senior sections
* Successful Colts and U13s tour
* Club becomes an official partner club to Saracens
* Kit Store relocated to The Jack Chisholm Room and
improved.
* New kitchen installed, thanks go to Mike Adams and to
David Evans and Magnet Kitchens
* Biggy Ale-Fresco outside bar & decking built ,
thanks again to Mike and to Henlow Building Supplies.
* New improved drainage installed.
* Successful hosting of the Greene King Finals Day,
recognised by the league as the best ever!
* Squash Courts 1 & 2 completely refurbished to a
very high standard.
* Sheepwalk Potton Pitch completed and used for the first
time in November.
* Changing rooms and Showers plumbed, re tiled and
painted (Senior players & Mike!)
Things to do in 2010
* Continue to recruit and retain players in all sections
of the club
* Continue to improve facilities and playing surfaces.
* Install netting behind posts on First Team pitch
* Replace fencing at club entrance
Saracens Premier Rugby Camp.
will take pace a Biggy on Thursday
17th and Friday 18th February during half term week.
The camp is being run by Premier Rugby and booking must be via their
website www.rugbycamps.co.uk
This is the first time we have hosted Saracens and the
course will be opened up to all clubs and schools locally. The costs
and programme will be posted on our website as soon as confirmed!
Extra fixture for Minis.
The Mini section will take on Kempston
on
Sunday 10h January at Kempston Hammers ground.
Minis are off to Bedford on Sunday December 6th
where they will play a triangular fixture against Bedford and Olney
Minis Tour 2010. A £50 deposit is
required for the Minis
Family Tour to the Caister next year, games
are arranged with Wymondham and North Walsham. Please see your coach
or Richard Boissieux as soon as possible, your accommodation cannot
be booked until the deposit has been paid. More details of the
holiday camp and its facilities will be posted soon.
Is the match still on?
A question that occasionally gets asked if weather conditions are
poor. It is the host club or referee who decides if a game is played
or not. Sometimes it is left late to make the decision, not helpful
of the journey is a long one (like Stoneygate last year or London
Welsh for the Colts!)
Usually, it is frozen or flooded pitches that are
the only problems.
If in doubt always check the message
board before setting out!
The Kit Store @ Christmas Have
a look at the Kit Store offers this Christmas, which will include the
NEW Biggy
leisure shirt carrying the 'Diamond Season'
logo to celebrate Sixty Years of Rugby in Biggleswade, also there are
a few of the limited edition 60th anniversary ties left at the
fantastic price of £12.00 each.
BIGGLES FM 104.8 Biggles are back
again with reports from Biggy Rugby every Saturday at approx 5.30pm.
Biggles FM are great supporters of local sport and the community.
SportsTalk will feature ALL Biggy news including Minis, Youth, Colts
and Seniors.
Note the new frequency of 104.8, broadcasting 24 hours a
day from their Potton studio (I kid you not)
RFU Grand Draw, for every £1 ticket, Biggy
get to keep 90p, all of which goes towards club improvements, see
posters in the clubhouse. Please support the Grand Draw.
First Prize is £10,000 donated by
Investec
Lucozade promotion.
visit www.lucozade.co.uk shop
and get a discount
by quoting
RDM918
Lucozade is promoting its wares to the club, including
Pro-Muscle drinks and bars.
Also from a Biggy perspective, Lucozade is a GSK brand
and GSK support the club with community cash awards.
Another E-News will be sent before
the new year!
Colts trounce Watford in the rain.
Watford 0 Biggy Colts
40
In
truly atrocious conditions Biggy Colts got there season back on
track by running in 8 tries against Watford.
Biggy
travelled to Watford with a bare squad, mainly down to a mounting
injury list which must be a concern to the coaching team.
The
first 20 minutes saw Biggy struggle to make inroads into a weak
Watford team, this was down to poor decision making and a
route one approach . Watford were feisty up front, but should
have been no match for our forwards. Indeed in that early period the
number of time Biggy took the ball into a ruck or maul and it came
out the opposite side was unbelievable.
However
this was the only poor period, as soon as Biggy scored, Watford's
heads went down and Biggy were on the up, scoring at will till the
end of the match. More ball went out to the backs and the game became
more expansive.
The
heavens opened at half time, which made it very difficult for both
teams and indeed the ref blew the match a bit early, as the
pitch was in danger of becoming a swimming pool.
Watford
for there part, are not the best team in the area. It is not easy
when the better players leave and go to bigger nearby clubs like
Fullerians, Sarries and Tabard, however the good thing is they stay
together and are there each year to take on whoever knocks on there
door. Good luck to them.
Next
Sunday the Colts are away at Braintree in the Colts Cup.
Scorers;
Tries: West (3), Bartlett(2) Haddow, Nott and Hawkins
Midlands East (South) A
Biggleswade 10 Rushden & Higham 12
The prospect of a
hard fought victory was snatched away in the last minute by a fourth
Rushden penalty. It was the third time this season that Biggleswade
had lost a league game by two points. Biggleswade dominated the match
scoring two tries to four penalties which reflected their territory
and possession dominance. Only eight players remained from the
previous encounter this season and two of those were replacements.
Having won the
home tie by fifty points Rushden thought they just had to turn up for
another easy win. But the Biggleswade pack had other ideas and
straight from the start bossed the set-pieces. Iain Jones back in the
side dominated the lineout. Fellow second row Tom Hill was forced to
retire with a damaged shoulder sustained in training that he had not
told Megan the physio about. Having only missed one game because of a
family wedding he wasn’t going to opt out of this big battle.
Exploiting the
silly turnover law the Biggleswade pack destroyed one Rushden scrum
after another. Colt Stewart West was making his league debut and had
a comfortable ride between two experienced props – Dave Tyson and
Adam Fage. But when they won good possession the ball was spilled too
often by the threequarters whose hands were numbed by the chilly
wind. The wingers Will Roake and Taig Norman hardly touched the ball
in the first half. But they rampaged about to good effect as the play
became more disjointed.
Rushden took the
lead with a penalty after Biggleswade went off-side at a ruck. The
kicker had missed everything in the pre-match warm up but only one
during the game. He added another before the break. In between
Biggleswade were denied a try from a charge down when the ball
rebounded to a Rushden player who would otherwise have been off-side
in front of his posts.
After the break
Rushden went further ahead with another penalty again for off-side by
the over eager backs. Penalties were as close as Rushden got to
scoring. In the previous seven league matches this season they had
averaged over fifty points a game and conceded just two tries. They
were to concede two more in this match. Biggleswade’s defensive work
was magnificent with everyone doing their share. Dom Nott had a quiet
game in attack but defensively he cut one Rushden player after
another in two.
The first Biggleswade
try came after sustained pressure from the Biggleswade pack. Ross
Taylor who kicked for touch very well all afternoon put his side deep
into Rushden’s “22”. The forwards battered away and at the end of a
strong drive Carlton Avison pounced on a loose ball over the line.
From the restart Biggleswade returned to the red zone and camped for
long periods in Rushden’s half. Finally the defence crumbled. Prop
Dave Tyson who has played many matches at fly-half when he has been
captain in the lower sides delicately chipped through the Rushden
defensive wall. He then won the race for the touchdown. Unfortunately
the conversion was missed which would have earned Biggleswade a draw
at least in the final analysis. But once again fate played a cruel
hand and Biggleswade came second when they deserved all the spoils of
victory.
Skipper Ross
Taylor was phlegmatic in defeat. “We deserved to win and for long
periods were the better side. So to lose by two points really
irritates me!” (This is the expurgated version of his comment.) But
of the four remaining fixtures three are against sides below
Biggleswade in the table. Man-of-the=Match was Dave Tyson for his
sterling row at prop and for his try.
Team: D Tyson, S
West, (K Marshall), A Fage, (A Burke,) T Hill (C Avison), I Jones I
Robinson, D Bartlett, D Nott, R Taylor, G Gadsby, W Roake, R German,
N Thoday, T Norman, D White.
Next Saturday
there is an away league match against Wellingborough OGs who are
second from bottom. Biggleswade won 36-0 at home their biggest league
win for some time. Last week-end Wellingborough lost away to Westwood
the basement boys. The match kicks off at 2.15pm.
Kettering
2/3’s 36 – Biggleswade 2’s 7
A
very late cancellation from Royston 2’s meant that Biggy 2’s had to
scrape around on Saturday morning to find an opposition. Kettering
had combined their 2’s and 3’s and offered to host Biggleswade.
As a result, Biggy had to travel away unexpectedly causing a
logistical nightmare for skipper Mark Rastrick who was still calling
his troops at ten past twelve to tell them the meet time was now
twelve o’clock! Please have your phones on your person and
switched on in future on a Saturday morning boys.
As
a result, Biggy arrived at Kettering with just enough time to get
changed and pass the ball around in a circle before kick off.
They were down to 14 players as some couldn’t travel away and
Kettering kindly provided one of their many substitutes to make up
the numbers. Kettering started the game much more switched on
and it wasn’t long before they were several tries in front. Biggleswade’s
forwards were performing well enough in the set pieces but in open
play the backs were out of position, allowing themselves to be drawn
into the contact area leaving huge gaps for the pacey Kettering backs
to run through. By half time, Biggleswade were 24 points to nil
down and looked like they were in for a hammering.
However,
a stiff talking to by Hooker Andy Claypole in the break sparked
Biggleswade into action and from the kick off they put Kettering
under pressure. Phase after phase of attack was soaked up by
the home side and every time they managed to clear their lines,
Biggleswade drove them back again. Finally, the visitors were
awarded a five metre scrum, which they won. The ball came out
to Rastrick who drove into the much slighter opposition fly half.
He offloaded out of the back of his hand to Inside Centre
Gareth Drew who forced his way over the line with two defenders doing
their best to keep him out, scoring just to the right of the posts.
Grandad Elcock slotted the conversion.
Biggleswade
continued to pressurise Kettering and came close to scoring on a
couple more occasions. Tom Farron had another excellent game,
making some good breaks into the Kettering half. Support from
James Buttigieg and Andy Rook meant that Biggleswade always looked
dangerous. Defensively, Biggy had sorted themselves out in the
backs as well with some huge tackles going in from Martin Cray,
Gareth Drew and Mark Rastrick. Jonny Pearson won Man of the
Match this week playing out on the wing, where he defended and
covered very well despite being out of position as he usually plays
flanker or hooker. He always returned the ball with interest
and stayed strong in the tackle allowing his support players to get
round him. Kettering did score two more tries in the second
half against the general run of play. Kettering first team play
at Level 5 and Biggleswade first team play at Level 9, so this was
always going to be a tough game but perhaps if Biggleswade had played
this match as a planned fixture, they would have been better prepared
and given a better account of themselves.
This
weekend Biggleswade travel over to Saffron Walden who are sitting in
second place in the league with 8 wins from 8 matches. A win
here could potentially catapult Biggy to the top of the league
depending on how Cambridge Exiles get on so there’s everything to
play for.
Biggleswade:
Maxwell, Claypole, Howell, Kendall, Flack, Farron, Rook, Buttigieg,
Gordon, Rastrick, Pearson, Drew, Cray, Elcock
Biggleswade under 13s- 14/ Grasshoppers
under 13s -7
Biggy’s
third league game of the season and a very hard thought victory for
them. Grasshoppers had to
travel all the way up from west London for this game so were not
going to be easy opposition and this they proved to be, the weather
conditions would play a big part in this game as the wind was very
strong blowing from one end of the pitch to the other but neither
team used this advantage.
Right
from the kick off Grasshoppers had the wind in their favour but it
was Biggy who controlled the game keeping Grasshoppers penned in
their own half, again the forwards dominated the forward line in
every area won a higher majority of scrums and lineouts with good
work again from flanker Tom Flather and number 8 Henry Cusack who
were excellent at getting to lose ball.
Biggy’s
pressure was too much in the end for Grasshoppers and passing between
the backs allowed centre George Harris the chance to place the ball
skilfully down for his second league try of the season which was
converted by josh sadd
Biggy
kept the momentum up attacking and passing the ball around the pitch
but Grasshoppers were not going to make it easy and finished the half
very strongly but Biggy kept the concentration going and stopped the
Grasshopper fight back to go into half time 7 – 0 in front.
the
second half and Biggy now had the advantage of the wind behind them
but didn’t really use it, but the lads were still controlling the
game and for long periods had Grasshoppers contained in their own
half, even still the visitors managed some decent attacks and passed
the ball around which made Biggy have to defend well at times.
A
second try was needed and this was clinically done by fly half josh
sadd who bundled the ball down between the posts which he easily
converted.
The
game was far from over and Grasshoppers produced a magnificent fight
back in the last 10 minutes scoring one try and having one disallowed
but Biggy held out superbly with the whole team defending brilliantly
to stop Grasshoppers snatching at least a draw.
So
well done lads a good win against a very physical team, the whole
side can again be proud of themselves, every player had a good game.
For
this game Biggy only had 16 fit players from a squad of 19 so could
really do with some new faces to help boost the squad numbers if
you’re aged 13 and fancy a go at rugby check out the Biggleswade rugby
web site for details on how to join the team.
Biggleswade
Under 13s Henry Cusack, Alex Dawson, James Frost, Jacob
Grabowski, Mitchell Avison, Alex Smith, Tom Flather, Matthew
Burlinson, James Aberdein, Sion Mcgregor, Josh Sadd, Patrick Cook,
George Harris, Ben Reed, Harry Webb, Riordan Heath.
Colts find it tough in West
London
Ruislip 33
Biggy Colts 11
Biggy Colts ventured into
London once again, to take on Ruislip, a side with an excellent
pedigree.
You learn nothing by
playing weak opposition week in week out and in the last two weeks
Biggy have played two very good sides and lost to both. This is all
about preparation for the league campaign and forthcoming cup
matches.
The difference however
this week was that Ruislip are a better side than last weeks
opposition, and that Biggy played much better this week. They didn't
tire and in fact finished the stronger, scoring the last try through
Haddow.
Biggy were carrying
injuries into this match and had also lost a couple of key players
for the same reason. This is a worry for the future and one that can
be addressed by improved self fitness.
The first half was fairly
even with Ruislip leading 12-6 at half time. The Ruislip two
tries, although well created, were really the cause of poor tackling.
Biggy came back with two penalties taken by Matthews, as Ruislip
became frustrated and infringed.
Once again the Biggy set
plays were excellent, the off loading was better, but as stated above
the tackling has to improve and go back to how it was a month or so
ago.
Ruislip brought there big
guns on in the second half and this spurred Biggy on to raise there
game, they had chances, but just couldn't execute at the right time
or the wrong decision was taken. Ruislip to there credit took
everyone of there's to score a further four times which flattered
them slightly. They undoubtedly have big strong running backs, but
they really shouldn't have been allowed the run half the length of
the pitch to score.
The Colts can take a lot
away from this game, but as always there are things to work on
fitness and tackling being two. Also decision making and
communication, our backs must get really bored at times. They rarely
see the ball except in a defensive capacity and when they do get the
chance they look more dangerous then the route one approach by our
muscle men. Something to think about as we move into a busy period.
Man of the Match was Gavin
Taylor, for yet another great performance in the forwards.
Cheshunt
3rd XV 7 Biggleswade 2nd XV 26
This was the
first round of the Green King Cup competition and after a rather
lethargic warm up, Biggleswade started the game with only fourteen
men. Carlton Avison had hit every red light and been delayed by
every slow driver between Biggleswade and Cheshunt and didn’t reach
the pitch until five minutes into the game.
From the kick
off, Calum Maxwell fielded the ball and set up a ruck on the
Biggleswade 10 metre line. The ball was quickly recycled and
passed down the line. Phil Elcock made a beautiful dummy run to
throw Cheshunt off the intended receiver, Tom Ruffles, who barged
through the opposition defense. Ruffles was brought down 10
metres from the
opposition line and managed to offload to Stuart West, this week
playing at hooker, who barreled his way over the line to score within
20 seconds of the start of the game. Mark
Rastrick missed the
conversion.
Cheshunt came
back hard from the restart and Biggleswade struggled to get out of their 22 for
several minutes. Eventually however, some long distance kicks
out of hand by Rastrick took the visitors back into Cheshunts
22. Biggleswade won the resulting lineout and after several
phases, Mark Peace found his way through to score.
A penalty kick
awarded to Biggleswade in the closing stages of the first half
drifted to the left of the posts but as the attempt had been charged
by the opposition, Rastrick was given the opportunity to take it
again, this time pulling the ball to the right. Kicking duties
were then handed over to Phil Elcock who comfortably slotted his
first attempt a few minutes later. Biggleswade turned round at
half time 13 points ahead.
With the wind and
rain in their faces in the second half, Biggleswade initially
struggled to find a rhythm and had to repel several Cheshunt attempts
to cross their line. However, a solid defence and some strong
running from Andy Rook, Tom Farron and Peter Shea pushed the visitors
into the Cheshunt 22. A second try from Stuart West, that was
clearly on the line was deemed to be short by the referee. This
fired the Biggleswade pack up and they won the resulting scrum
against the head. The ball finally made its way to Elcock who slotted
a cheeky and very ugly drop goal that just skimmed over the crossbar.
Again Cheshunt
returned to the Biggleswade half from the kick off and put the
visitors line under immense pressure. Several clearance kicks
into the wind went awry, one of which was sliced straight into the
waiting arms of Cheshunts open side winger. He stepped three of
the Biggleswade defense to run it in under the posts. The
conversion was good.
The kick off from
Rastrick was high and deep and Biggleswades forwards swarmed all over
the Cheshunt receiver turning the ball over. The ball again
went down the line through several hands and Ruffles took two
defenders with him over the line to score.
Biggleswades
final try came from Man of the Match, Tom Farron, who had played on
the wing in the first half. He had made some good strong runs
from deep and performed excellently in defense despite being well out
of position. When, in the second half, he returned to the
second row, he won all of Biggleswades lineout throws and several of Cheshunts
and he continued to make a nuisance of himself in both attack and
defense, eventually driving over from the back of a ruck after
sustained pressure from the Biggleswade pack. The whole pack
dominated for much of the game and played much better as a team.
This week
Biggleswade host Royston 2’s at Langford Road in a Green King League
fixture.
Biggleswade:
Maxwell, West, Avison, Loan (Farron), Flack, Boyd, Rook, Shea,
Bishop, Rastrick, Young, Ruffles, Peace, Farron (Loan), Elcock.
Biggleswade 17 Letchworth 10
Letchworth came
back strongly in the final five minutes but it was too little too
late. Biggleswade had played most of the rugby and were deserved
winners. They had dominated the set-pieces and played the more
creative rugby.
In the absence of
a recognised second row Andy Burke teamed up with Tom Hill in the
powerhouse. With the not inconsiderable Dave Tyson and Adam Fage
propping there were four men of some size. A back row of Dean
Bartlett, Dom Nott and Ian Robinson also added to the bulk of the
pack. Only the slight Karl Marshall bought the average weight down!
Letchworth had a good size pack too but they were shunted back all
over the place. Biggleswade won one turnover after another and
disrupted Letchworth’s flow of ball.
Ace photographer
former first team full-back Andy Foden was impressed with
Biggleswade’s fly-half Graham Gadsby When Gadsby threaded his way
through impossibly small gaps there were cries of appreciation from
the happy snapper on the sidelines. The centres too had a commanding
presence with two men who have both played second row at one time or
another. Russell German made several powerful runs but perhaps should
have kept the ball in hand more. Young Nathan Thoday was impressive
with some brave tackling and good support work. In one move he dumped
his opposite number and immediately regained his feet to fight for
the ball. Not bad skills for a “second row”!
But the pick of
the side around the park was the backrow trio. Dom Nott as always had
his moments but could not manage a score. In one lovely move he
popped up in the back line and made a scything break. His partners
Dean and “Robbo” got the glory. The first two tries were scored by
Dean Bartlett. The first was down the left flank with scrum half Ross
Taylor and Ian Robinson involved before the ball was slipped to Dean
who did the rest.
The second was a
magnificent solo effort from a lineout on the halfway line. Dean was
through the line and on to a loose tap back from the Letchworth line.
He out paced the initial defense and shrugged off the attentions of
the final defender for a try near the corner. Letchworth started the
second half as if they had received a caffeine boost in the
water-bottles. They quickly cut the deficit with an unconverted try
after a kick and chase. The big in-goal area was just enough.
Undaunted Biggleswade
had soon increased their lead. A penalty touch kick from Ross Taylor
put Biggleswade in a good attacking position. The lineout was
adjudged not straight but from the scrum Biggy scored their third
try. Number eight Ian “Robbo” Robinson picked and powered his way
over the line brushing off at least three would be tacklers. It was
an impressive move right in front of your correspondent and captured
by Andy Foden’s lens.
With knocks and
replacements upsetting Biggleswade’s shape Letchworth finished the
more strongly with a late try. They had to batter away at the Biggy
line before wriggling through.
Team: D Tyson, K
Marshall, A Fage, T Hill, A Burke, I Robinson, D Bartlett, D Nott, R
Taylor, G Gadsby, W Roake, R German, N Thoday, D White, N Edenborough.
Replacements: D Howells, T Norman.
Tomorrow
(Saturday) there is a home league match against Rushden & Higham
the unbeaten league leaders. Rushden were easy winners at home but
Biggleswade are determined to do much better on their own patch. The
match at Langford Road kicks off at 2.15pm.
Colts good run cut by
Hemel Hempstead
Biggy Colts
3 Hemel 20
Biggy Colts recent good
run of form came to an end last Sunday. Hemel are a very decent side
made up of mostly Under 19s and their size and power told on the day.
Biggy to their credit
defended excellently for most of the match, they were more than a
match for the opposition in the set plays, especially the line outs,
which was surprising seeing the size of their forwards.
However in the loose HH
dominated most of the play, often getting to the ball first. Biggy
had their chances, but there siege mentality nullified them in attack
and most of the time there assaults came to nothing. The support play
wasn't good today, which meant that when players did break, they got
turned over. Very little decent ball came out to the backs,
which must have been frustrating for them.
The three tries that HH
scored were deserved although the first was down to poor tackling and
the two in the second half were down to tiredness, which is bit
inexcusable at this level. Fitness must be worked on.
To be fair HH should have
had more points, but there indiscipline at times created turn over
ball in attacking areas of the pitch.
Because of the size
of the HH players, some of the youngest members of the team
struggled, which is bound to happen, but it is something they will
continually need to work on not just in training, but away from the
club as well. They are all however vital members of the squad.
A learning curve for the
Colts and one which they will benefit from. Sometimes in rugby it is
good to get a wakeup call and move on. They will meet better teams
than HH over the coming season. It is time to get on the training
pitch as a squad and work on that fine tuning. They all have the
ability to do it. Remember the Sarries match!
Man of the Match was Tom
Worboys, who had a great match at full back, often isolated, he never
panicked and took the ball back to his forwards, where he quite often
ended up underneath them all.
Ruislip away next Sunday
1pm KO.
Enfield Ignatians under 13s, 7- Biggleswade
under 13s, 27
Biggie’s
2nd league game of the season away to Enfield was always going
to be a test and the boys passed it with flying colours,
The
difference between this Biggy side to the one that started the season
is huge, the lads have now got to grip with playing on a full pitch
but also they have confidence, belief, fitness and have even added a
bit of ruthlessness to their game.
The
size of the Enfield forwards was far superior so Biggies forwards
would have to step up to the plate and they did what was asked of
them by the coaches.
From
the very first whistle Biggy pressured Enfield and they just could
not get into the game making mistakes which captain Henry Cusack
capitalised on to drive over for a great try only for the ref to
disallow it.
This
only inspired Biggy on even more and straight away josh sadd burst
through Enfield’s back row to open the score, tom flather Biggys
answer to Lewis moody dived over from a maul to increase the score
line further great attacking play gave full back riordan heath the
chance to run at Enfield’s defence and cut them apart to score a great
try to finish the half fifteen points to nil up.
The
second half Biggy brought on fresh legs to add pressure in the scrum
and this made them dominate the game even more,a further amount of
pressure was put onto Enfield and they were starting to fade which
allowed centre Patrick cook to run in too great tries ,the second was
a bit special as he left the Enfield back row trailing in his
wake to place the ball between the post, which was converted by
Matthew Burlinson, Enfield did score a consolation try at the end and
they must get a mention for not giving up.the whole game saw Biggy
win every scrum except one which just shows what good coaching ,and
being organised can do for a team ,it was a great team performance
and again every one of the 18 players who made the trip can be proud
of themselves well done lads.
The
next game for Biggy will be in two weeks time at home for the league
again against grasshoppers and if they can produce a performance like
this again it could be maximum points for Biggy.
Midlands East South (A)
Oundle 5 Biggleswade 3
In a tense finish
Biggleswade just failed to get the crucial score that they thoroughly
deserved. On a greasy pitch with a strong gusty wind (your
correspondent’s borrowed umbrella turned inside out – sorry Russell)
two penalties were missed and a brace of tries disallowed. Having
spent all the second period camped in Oundle’s half it would have
been just reward.
Right from the
start Biggleswade had dominated the game bossing the scrums and the
lineouts. The three quarters always looked dangerous with Russell
German taking the direct route and Graham Gadsby skipping and weaving
round defenders. After
going close through Dom Nott and James Buttigieg Biggleswade were
rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts that Graham Gadsby put over.
After a forty point win the previous week Oundle were rattled. An
Oundle spectator was heard to say that “Biggleswade are playing out
of their socks”!
Oundle responded
strongly and as the half-time break approached they went ahead with
an unconverted try after a series of close calls. Biggleswade had
defended bravely with Dean Bartlett, Dom Nott and Tom Hill all
tackling hard. Ross Taylor also did his bit but then he always does.
The second half
started badly for Biggleswade. There was a clash of heads between
James Buttigieg and fellow flanker Dean Bartlett. Butty quickly
returned to the fray and Dean as soon as the magic glue had stuck the
edges of the cut back together. In the meantime Ian Robbo Robinson
stripped off to join in the action as a blood replacement.
With both Graham
Gadsby and Russell German putting in well weighted kicks a score
looked likely. Speedy wingers Gavin Taylor and Will Roake were both
denied scores as the defence just managed to get back for the
touchdown.
In the forwards
everyone played robustly. The front row of Andy Burke, Karl Marshall
and David Tyson were well on top with Adam “Tink” Fage just adding to
the mayhem when he came ion as a replacement. The appearance of
Michael Haddow mid-way through the second half injected yet more pace
into a pack that had the upper hand.
In the forwards
only desperate defence by Oundle and an unsighted official kept
Biggleswade at bay. Surely a video referee would have awarded at
least one of the tries? Biggleswade’s pounding brought a couple of
penalties that on a calmer day would have been slotted home easily.
The anonymous player who missed a sitter in front of the posts will
no doubt have sleepless nights about it!
After the match
skipper Ross Taylor was full of praise for his troops. “You showed a
lot of guts and determination” he told them in the post match huddle,
“I am very proud of you all
Team: A Burke, K
Marshall (M Haddow), D Tyson (A Fage), I Jones, T Hill, D Bartlett (I
Robinson), J Buttigieg, D Nott, R Taylor, G Gadsby, G Taylor, B
Caulfield, R German, W Roake, D White,
Next Saturday
there is a break from league action with a home friendly against
Letchworth’s second string.
Newmarket 3rd
XV 5 Biggleswade 2nd XV 16
Biggleswade won this
encounter in the second half in horrible conditions for flowing
rugby. As with last week, the side looked completely different
again. Stubby stepped in at prop, Jonny Pearson at Hooker and
Callum Maxwell on the other side formed the front row. Flacky
and Kyle Loan remained in the second row with Chewy, Rooky and Pete
Shea in the back row. Steve Bishop stepped into scrum half and
Mark Rastrick in at fly half. Then things really got
interesting with Stuart West (who arrived wearing designer glasses
that made him look like a fat Gok Wan) moving from his normal position
of Prop to inside centre, Wes Hawkins made his debut in a Biggleswade
shirt at outside centre and Phil Elcock slotted in at full back.
The wings were covered by Bambi and James Dorricott who both
prefer to play on the flanks.
Early exchanges were
pretty even with neither side looking like dominating. The wet
windy conditions made handling and kicking a complete lottery.
The Biggleswade pack couldn’t seem to gel in the way they have
in previous weeks and several rucks were turned over by the home side.
Despite several storming runs from Westy in the centre,
Biggleswade couldn’t break the Newmarket defence. Several
passes were dropped by the visitors and this eventually lead to
Newmarkets only score of the game. Biggleswade finally got
their act together with ten minutes of the first half to go.
Rastrick used the wind to pin Newmarket in their own 22 and the
forwards won the lineout against the head driving on towards the home
sides line only to be held up. From the resulting scrum,
Biggleswade drove Newmarket over their own line and Pete Shea picked
from the back of the scrum to score. Rastrick’s conversion
drifted wide of the posts.
In the second half,
Rastrick continued to use the boot effectively to pin Newmarket in
their own half. Finally the pressure paid off and Biggleswade
were awarded a penalty just outside the 22, which Rastrick converted.
Biggleswade’s handling in the backs began to improve and this
allowed Westy and Wes to penetrate deep into the Newmarket half. A
try went begging when Elcock put in a cross field kick for Jonny
Pearson to chase. With only the winger to beat, Pearson drew
his man and popped the ball back inside to Bambi who couldn’t quite
get hold of the ball for what would have been a certain score. Newmarket
cleared up but were forced into touch. Biggleswade won the
lineout and passed the ball along the back line. A further
infringement from the home side resulted in another kickable penalty,
which Rastrick slotted through the uprights.
Biggleswade’s final try
again came from a lineout in the Newmarket 22. This time it was
Flacky to emerge from the bottom of the pile of bodies with the ball.
This is his third try so far this year and could be a personal
best in a season. Rastricks conversion attempt from the
touchline, directly into the wind never looked like reaching the
posts.
Biggleswade had to work
hard for the last ten minutes as Newmarket started to put on the
pressure but the defence remained solid and the final whistle went
with the score finishing 16 points to 5 in favour of Biggleswade.
The backrow of Shea, Rook
and Chewy worked hard all game, Kyle Loan did very well in the
lineout on such a windy day, winning several of the oppositions
throws as well as his own. Other players to note were both
wingers, Bambi and James Dorricott who tackled solidly and ensured
that the Newmarket backs never exploited the space out wide.
This week sees the 2’s in
cup action against Cheshunt 3rd team away.
Biggleswade: Maxwell,
Pearson, Applegate, Loan, Flack, Hewitt, Rook, Shea, Bishop,
Rastrick, Shaw, West, Hawkins, Dorricott, Elcock.
Emphatic Victory for Colts
against Welwyn.
Biggy Colts 39 Welwyn 7
 A good performance by
Biggy Colts against Welwyn, especially in the second half when they
finally took control of the match.
Scoring nearly 40 points
against any side is a good victory, but there was still a feeling
amongst the coaches and spectators that they barely got out of second
gear
90% of the squad have
played County rugby at some stage in the past and therefore are a
very good bunch of players, so maybe we all expect more or is that
being harsh?
Certainly when Biggy put
the ball through the phases, they looked exceptional and should have
put feisty welwyn to the sword earlier than they did.
Welwyn for there part are
a team struggling to stay together and made up of all of last years
Under 17s, however they showed a true spirit in the first half, not
just keeping Biggy down to three tries, but having regular
attacks on the Biggy defensive line. To be honest Biggy never looked
in any real danger, but a few strange decisions on there own
line gave the supporters the wobbles at times.
The second half got off to
the best possible start with a break by Prop West, who ran half
the pitch to score, this broke the back of the Welwyn resistance.
Westy also needed some oxygen and large curry after his run. It
worked because he went onto score a second in similar vein and was
the Coach's man of the match.
Biggy ran in tries at will
in the second period with good play coming from all on the pitch, but
Welwyn did get a consolation at the end, which they deserved.
Things to work, try and be
a bit more clinical, there was too much scrappy and messy play at
times, which put the team in trouble. The place kicking was pretty
awful and comical at times, after we lost our fly half to injury
early on, so there has to be a plan B. You never know when we will
need a 2 point coversion to win a match.
Finally a bit of
discipline is needed , no point in getting involved
in a scrap when you are thirty points up.
Overal things are looking
healthy in the Colts camp.
Scorers: West(2), Roake,
Bartlett(2), Taylor, Nott. Conv: Cusack (2)
Midlands 5 East (South) A
Westwood 0 Biggleswade 29
As expected
Biggleswade beat Westwood the basement boys of the league but they
made hard work of it. On a lovely afternoon for rugby they ran in
five tries but could have had the same again.
With six changes
from the previous week Biggleswade took time to settle and several
try scoring passes went astray in the backs. So the forwards decided
they would have to start the scoring. Dom Knott at number eight got
the first when the pack powered over the line at a five meter scrum.
The second was a penalty try awarded when the ball was kicked out as
another forward push looked likely to get over the line.
In the backs
winger Tom Ruffle, unrecognizable in club socks, looked to have
powered his way through only to lose the ball as he was about to
ground it. Turning round just twelve points up but with the advantage
of the slope to come Biggleswade looked I to be in the box seat.
The forwards
generally bossed the show. Former skipper Iain Jones restored to the
second row to partner Tom Hill dominated the lineout. The formidable
front row of Andy Burke, Karl Marshall and Dave Tyson gave the
opposition a torrid time.
After the break
Biggleswade finally went further ahead when Tom Ruffle finished off a
three-quarter move. Biggleswade had earlier been denied a couple of
tries with Nic Edenborough being the thwarted player on both
occasions. The full back came in to the line on every occasion and had
a couple of strong runs.
Skipper Ross
Taylor grabbed his first try of the season when the scrum wheeled
widely. The ball popped out and a grateful Ross scooped and dived
over the line. Biggleswade’s final score came when Russell German
optimistically looped the ball over his head for an alert Damian
White to finish off in grand style running round behind the posts.
This made for an easy conversion of his third try this season that
takes him to the top of the leader board.
There was just
time for venerable prop Andrew “Stubby” Applegate to make a guest
appearance. At a youthful forty-two he was playing for the first team
before the other replacement Gavin Taylor was born! Gavin one of the
more versatile replacements went to second row this time.
Team: D Tyson (A
Applegate), K Marshall, A Burke, T Hill, I Jones, D Bartlett, J
Buttigieg, D Nott, R Taylor, G Gadsby, D White R German, W Roake, T Ruffle (G Taylor), N Edenborough,
Tomorrow
(Saturday) there is another away league match against Oundle. The
home tie earlier in the season was a low scoring draw 8-8. Oundle are
second in the table most recently having put forty points on St Neots
while conceding twenty. The match should kick off at 2.15pm.
Biggleswade
AXV 35 – St. Neots AXV 7
It
took Biggleswade twenty minutes to get the first points on the board
but once they started, tries rolled in at regular intervals. It
was a completely different side from the team fielded two weeks
earlier. Returning to the front row from the back row was Andy
Claypole at Hooker, who had a solid game and lead the pack
brilliantly. Dave Howell and Stuart West stood either side of
him as Props. There was experience and youth in the second row
with Ian Flack and Kyle Loan and a solid back row of Bod, Pete Shea
and Robbo. Ben Caulfield stepped in at Scrum Half and Matt
Smith took over fly half duties meaning Skipper Mark Rastrick moved
into the Centre. Mark “Potton” Peace who normally plays Flanker
filled the Outside Centre slot and had an excellent game.
Wingers Bambi and Richard Cooper had solid games and Jim Young
started at Full Back returning from a bruised ego injury that meant
sitting down was less than comfortable.
The
first try of the game went to Matt Smith after Biggleswade won a line
out 10 metres from the St. Neots try line. The forwards took
the ball on, recycling through several phases until Caulfield gave a
short pop to Smith two metres out. He rolled out of the tackle
to score. The effort of running this distance had drained Smith
of energy and he asked Rastrick to take the conversion, which he
missed. The second try also came from a Biggy lineout the
forwards again dominating and driving over the line with Bod
surfacing with the ball for his first try of the season.
Smiths’ conversion attempt was good. St. Neots finally
got themselves on the score sheet thirty minutes into the half when
their burley Fly Half broke through several sloppy Biggleswade
tackles to score just to the left of the posts. The conversion,
which he took himself was good. Shortly after, Biggy were
awarded a penalty on the visitors 10 metre line, which Smith slotted
comfortably. The final try of the half went to West after a
kick through by Rastrick put St. Neots full back under pressure.
The follow up was good and the ball was popped up to West, who
stepped his man and scored under the posts. Again, Smith made
no mistake with the conversion attempt.
Biggy
made two changes at half time. Andy Rook came on in the back row for
Bod and Harry Dix came on to replace Young. Both replacements
had excellent games with Rooky making a complete nuisance of himself
with the St. Neots Fly Half and Harry Dix running back every high
ball the visitors sent into the Biggy 22 with interest. The
first try of the half went to Ben Caulfield after more intense Biggy
pressure. Smith missed the conversion but comfortably made a
penalty kick that was awarded a few minutes later. Biggleswade
kept up the pressure for the rest of the game and were rewarded with
their last try of the game when the forwards took the ball through
several phases, sucking in the St. Neots defence. The ball was
then quickly sent wide to Rastrick who stepped inside the covering
defender and then barrelled his way over the line.
This
was another spirited second team performance. Both teams were
commended by the referee after the game for the way in which the game
was played.
This
Saturday, the 2nds are away to Newmarket who are sitting second from
bottom in the league.
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The RFU Grand Draw 2009 -2010
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This one of
the clubs biggest fund raisers!
Remember 90p
in every £1 ticket sold stays with Biggy and goes directly to
support the players and facilities. The Draw will take place in
March 2010.
Here is what the money does towards.
I book sold
pays for a full pitch to be marked.
2 books sold
pay for a Gilbert training ball
4 books sold
pay for a First Aid Kitbag.
8 books sold pays
for a Rugby Ready of TAG Coaching Course.
16 books sold
pays for half of a Level Two coaching badge
....as well
as maintaining the clubhouse, squash courts and playing
pitches!
Prizes.
1st prize is
£10,000 donated by Investec
2nd prize is
2 business class tickets to Dubai donated by Emirates.
3rd prize is
£1000 donated by RLF Construction
4th prize is
£1000 donated by Mazars
5th prize is
a London weekend break at the Investec challenge match in 2010
There are 40
prizes in total, from hostpitality packages, clothes, mobile
phones, beer, golf days,
more beer, hotel accommodation etc etc.
Please
support the Grand Draw when asked to buy a raffle ticket book.
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Midlands 5 East (South) A
Biggleswade 10 St Neots 12
Despite being camped
in St Neots territory for most of the second half Biggleswade failed
to win this key game. They managed just one try which was not enough
to secure a victory.
Injuries last
week and in training forced changes to the starting line up which saw
eight of the side under twenty-five on the pitch. Biggleswade failed
to start as they should have and were rocked by the strong running
visitors.
The Biggleswade
pack had the upper hand disrupting the St Neots scrums and bossing
the lineouts. Nathan Thoday and Tom Hill were dominant giving well
directed ball to scrum-half Ross Taylor. With the rarely available
Michael Haddow in at hooker between two robust props in Dave Tyson
and Adam Fage things went well in the first half.
In the opening
quarter Biggleswade could have scored an early try. They forced a St
Neots defender to drop the ball in his dead-ball area but couldn’t
get the touchdown. Instead St Neots cleared the danger and swept up
the other end of the field only narrowly failing to score. St Neots
did score soon afterwards charging down an attempted clearance kick
and touching down the rebound.
After a couple of
misses one either side of the posts Graham Gadsby reduced the deficit
with a penalty. But St Neots stretched their lead when their left
winger ran in for a try from near the half-way line with
Biggleswade’s defence clutching at straws.
After the break
St Neots lost their play making fly half which left them short of
ideas. Biggleswade spent long periods in the St Neots half until late
in the game. After several close calls Damian White latched on to a
quickly taken penalty by skipper Ross Taylor and bored his way over
the line for the try. Graham Gadsby added the two point conversion.
With just a minute left on the clock there was no time for Biggleswade
to snatch another winning score.
Man-of-the-Match
for the third time this season was Dominic Nott who rampaged about
like rampant bull. When on the attack he clears a path like a
charging elephant. In defence he cuts people off at the knees!
Team: D Tyson, M
Haddow, A Fage (D Howell), N Thoday, T Hill (T Farron), D Bartlett, J
Buttigieg, D Nott, R Taylor, G Gadsby, D White R German, T O’Connor,
W Roake N Edenborough, K Marshall.
Tomorrow
(Saturday) there is an away league match against Westwood who are
bottom of the table having conceded at least fifty points in each
match so far this season. The following week Biggleswade start on the
reverse legs playing Oundle away. Now the clocks have changed all
matches kick off at 2.15pm until the end of February.
Biggleswade Rugby & Squash
November E-News
1949 - 2009 Sixty Years of Biggleswade Rugby
This E-News is sent blind copied and
without graphics to club members, please forward on to anyone
interested. A further E-News will be sent in November with details of
events in December.
First XV Back in home league
action on Saturday
October 31st when it is St Neots turn to visit. Kick off will be 2.15pm as
we are now the clocks have gone back.
Second XV Sit
around the top of the Greene King Deuxieme Centrale League
after some very high scoring wins, next home game is on Saturday 7th November vs
St Neots
Colts Will compete in the
National Colts Plate competition after exiting to Cup to a narrow
loss to Saracens.
For updated Youth fixtures, see the
website Fixtures page as there have been some amendments recently.
Ammendment to previous E-News
The Minis have three away fixtures to Ely on Sunday
November 1st where they play Ely and Wisbech in a triangular fixture.
The following weekend, Sunday 8th November its away to
Ampthill and then on to Newmarket on Sunday November
15th.
Tour News
Biggy Minis Family Tour will
be heading for Caister from April 23rd to April 26th, staying at the
Caister Holiday Village. Opposition is confimed at North Walshan on
the Saturday and Wymondham on the Sunday. A £50 deposit will be required
soon! Details from Richard Boissieux.
U16s are on course to tour
Cork in Eire at the end of the season and take part in the Irish International Festival
of Rugby. Tour organiser is Martin Hall (07775 651339)
Colts have a number of
proposed destinations including Monetstruc (France) or Treviso
(Italy) Barcelona (Spain). If you have an opinion speak to Tour
supremo Richard Phipps!
The Tour will be open to all Colts including those away
at college!
Seniors 2010 Its Montesruc!
departing on Friday 21st May and returning on Monday 24th May and
playing Montesruc and eating lots of ducks. Speak to Pete Biernis who
is organising the tour.
New players wanted. All
of Biggleswade's Youth & Colts squads are small in number,
with the exception of the U14s. New players are needed to make sure
the squads have enough depth to see them through the season. The
Rugby Development Officers are currently working with local schools
to try and boost numbers. if you know anyone interested in playing
Biggy rugby, then we need to point them towards the relevant teams.
See the website for contact details.
Two great ticket offers!
Saracens vs South Africa
@ Wembley Stadium on Tuesday 17th November.
Adults £10 and Children under sixteen only £5. Tickets
will be on sale on the night but at more money.
The game is a 7.45pm start. The final deadline for ticket
applications is Friday 6th November.
Please contact Martin 01462 811242 (pm) martin.harwood6@btinterent.com
if you would like tickets. Strictly money with ticket order
with cheques made to Biggleswade
RUFC
Guinness premiership Finals
@ Twickenham on
Saturday 29th May 2010.
This sounds a long way off, but it will be a sell-out!
Tickets are priced at £35 Adults and £10 Juniors.The club
will receive a commission on tickets sold.
See posters up around the club, more details to follow in
the new year.
BiggyMini's Quiz Night. Saturday 21st November
There will be
a quiz night in aid of the Minis Tour. As part of the night there
will be a raffle so we are looking for offers of prizes etc. Entry
will be £5 per person, which will include light refreshments.
Remember, the more money raised will
go towards the Minis tour and tour kit.
Please see Mini's coaches or Richard
Boissieux for details.
RFU Grand Draw 2009-2010.
Its that time of the year again!
With a prize pool of £40K and a first prize of
£10,000 the RFU Grand Draw is a vital piece of funding for Biggy. We
get to keep 90p for every £1 ticket sold, which goes straight into
improvements and equipment for the club.
For example:
I book sold pays for a full pitch to be marked.
2 books sold pay for a Gilbert training ball
4 books sold pay for a First Aid Kitbag.
8 books sold pays for a Rugby Ready of TAG Coaching
Course.
Please support the RFU
Grand Draw as it help the club continue to provide and improve
facilities.
NEW in the Kit Store.
Exclusive red thermal undershirts printed with Biggleswade RUFC
on the sleeve. A great Christmas present at only £15 Youth or £16
Adults.
Also Biggy Hoodies are available to order. Email the kit
store via the website or see the message board for opening times.
Squash Club News. Work on
refurbishment of squash courts one and two started this week. The
ability to continue depends on getting Squash membership fees paid
as soon as possible. Please see Dave, there is a card reader at
the club for easier payment.
Full membership £70 per annum.
Remembrance Sunday 8th November.
Players and parents will be asked to observe a minutes silence
at 11am on Sunday 8th November.
The club will also be represented at the town memorial
service, were a wreath will be laid on behalf of the
club. Senior club members are asked to attend and represent Biggleswade
Rugby Club .Please contact Mike Adams on proactiveengineering@hotmail.co.uk or
via the club.
Improvements to the Clubhouse & Grounds.
Thanks to Derek Izzard for completing the work on the
soak-away at the back of the club, this will be of benefit to all who
use the club!
Following on from the Squash court refurbishment, the
fence and entrance is due to be replaced.
The 'Potton Posts' have been erected on Sheepwalk Middle
pitch and this pitch will be prepared for use shortly.
Thanks to W
J Kendall & Sons for cutting the bank around the
pitches, this will make rabbit control easier, the rabbit man reports
that numbers are much lower, last Saturday he only dispatched four in
a morning!
Also thanks to those U10s parents who have helped
with preparing their pitch on Saturdays and Sundays.
U7s to follow U8s at Saracens!
The U7s are to be the Guard of Honour at the Saracens vs Newport
Gwent Dragons game on February 7th. If any other age group wants to
take advantage of the discounted Saracens tickets, see the fixture
poster in the clubhouse and choose a home fixture!
Diary Date. February Half Term Saracens Premier
Rugby Camp more details to follow, click on www.saracens.com
and go to Rugby Camps for an idea of what the course covers!
This will be opened up to allcomers
including local schools and other rugby clubs.
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