|
|
Welcome to November 06 Newsletter |
|
|
Senior Training |
|
|
NEWSLETTERS ARCHIVE |
|
|
Tuesday and Thursday on the pitch from 7:30 Follow the Training Link to see who your Training Buddy is. |
|
|
August 06 Newsletter If the newest reports are not here try right clicking and refresh/reload this frame |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Biggleswade 5, Leceister Vipers 29 - 25/11/06 |
|
|
With nine changes to the side that beat Dunstable second team last week due to work and other commitments, there was a completely different feel to this weeks team. Stan Matthews stepped in at hooker, Ian Flack moved into the second row, Darryl Rogers moved from Hooker to Flanker, Ben Caulfield returned to the first team following a mini break and Pete Shea, back from international duty with Deaf England Rugby covers the changes in the pack. In the backs, Nathan Thoday filled in at outside centre, Jim Young returned to the wing and Phil "The Greek" Elcock donned his veterans boots to return as first team fullback. Biggleswade started the encounter against the wind and with the slope. Experience in the previous games showed how dangerous Vipers backs were so the game plan was to keep it tight and use the age, weight (which was available in abundance) and wisdom (slightly less so) in the forwards to prevent Vipers backs getting the ball. For the first 25 minutes this was successful and Biggleswades defence was ferocious, but a quick lineout in Vipers 22 spun down their backs lead to their first try in the corner. Vipers scored twice more in the first half, but it was Biggleswade who were on top going into the break. The visitors were awarded penalty after penalty inside Vipers twenty-two, but the referee failed to resort to cards for persistent infringements. Eventually, when Lee Panter received a boot to the face, the referee awarded a penalty and then stopped the clock while Panter was given treatment. The referee then blew his whistle to end the half. When Biggleswade pointed out that he couldn't do this, he stated that he would give a penalty to start the second half. A deep kick from the restart into Vipers twenty-two gave Biggleswade a lineout close to the home sides line. Biggleswades pack continued their domination from the first half and pressed Vipers line. Eventually it was Pete "Pin-drop" Shea who touched the ball down following an excellent push-over try from a five metre scrum. This was to be Biggleswades only score and despite being on top for much of the half but it was Vipers who scored twice more from break-aways by their backs. One from inside their own half, the second was an excellent solo effort by their scrum half, who scooted round the blind side and ran in unchallenged. Biggleswade came close to scoring a second when Fly-half Mark Rastrick made a half break and off-loaded from the tackle to Nathan Thoday who drew his man and passed to Adam Sewell. Sewell crossed the line but the referee felt the pass from Rastrick was forward and called play back for a Vipers scrum. This was a gritty performance from Biggleswade. Many of the team have not played together before. Captain Mark Rastrick said "I would like to thank the guys for the effort this week and making themselves available to travel. They stepped up to the mark and showed the character and spirit we need to move forward in the league." With only 24 points separating them from top of the league Vipers, who have beaten others by much bigger margins, Biggleswade can take heart from this going into their home game next Saturday against Old Newtonians who beat them by only one point in their last encounter. Team: Panter (Applegate), Matthews, Tysom, Flack, Jones, Caulfield, Rogers, Shea, Taylor, Rastrick, Sewell, Cray, Thoday, Young and Elcock. |
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday 19/11/06 |
|
|
Biggy Youth sides scored 190 points today across all age groups with none conceded!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Biggleswade 11 Dunstablians 2nd XV 5 - 18/11/06 |
|
|
This game was as close a fought encounter as the score suggests; although Biggleswade rarely left the oppositions half for the majority of the game. Biggleswade's kick-off went out on the full and so the game started with a scrum in the centre of the pitch. The first five minutes were evenly contested with neither side gaining or giving much ground. The stalemate was finally broken when a good kick by Dunstablians Fly-half, following an infringement by a Biggleswade player, put the ball into touch in Biggleswade's twenty two. From the resulting lineout, the ball went through the hands and some sloppy defence from Biggleswade allowed their centre through for a try under the posts. The conversion hit the post and bounced safely back onto the pitch. From that point on Biggleswade dominated. The defence tightened up and the forwards took control of the game winning all of their own lineout and scrums and picking and driving the ball up the field at every opportunity. Biggleswade spent much of the rest of the first half in Dunstable's twenty two but couldn't find that elusive try. Every time they found themselves within a scoring position, the ball was lost to the opposition who cleared their lines. There was some strong running in the centres from Thom O'Connor and Martin Cray but Dunstable's defence held strong. James Buttigeig, Ian Robinson and Biggleswade's man of the match Mark Peace in the back row where everywhere causing constant problems for Dunstable's Fly-half who dropped the ball more times than he caught it due to the pressure. Eventually, this pressure told and Dunstable gave away a penalty in front of the posts which skipper Mark Rastrick converted. Mark's kicking out of hand was on form this week gaining significant yardage to get Biggleswade back into an attacking position every time Dunstable cleared their lines. The whistle went for half time with Biggleswade trailing by just two points. In the second half, Dunstable made a substitution in the centre. This elusive running replacement tried to dance and jink his way through the defence, but the home side had the measure of him. The pressure and the communication in defence was noticeable even on the touchline. Thom O'Connor, his opposite number, was up to the challenge and put a stop to his jinking runs. It was never pretty, but it was certainly effective. Biggleswade continued to dominate in the forwards but could not find their way over the line for the try they so desperately deserved. Dunstable eventually buckled under the constant pressure and following one too many infringements gave away another penalty in front of the posts which Rastrick despatched cleanly. With just fifteen minutes to go, Biggleswade's tenacity finally paid off. A kick to the corner by Rastrick gave Dunstable a line out on their own five metre line. They won the ball, but Biggleswades marauding defence were up so fast that the ball was fumbled. Hooker, Darryl Rogers jumped on the opportunity and hacked the ball out of the Dunstable scrum-half's reach as he bent to retrieve it. The ball bobbled over the try line and Rogers raced against Dunstable's winger to touch it down for the score. Rogers came close to scoring again a few minutes later when he changed the angle of attack, running from deep. He broke the defensive line and was through for the try when the referee called play back for a forward pass. During the resulting scrum, James Caulfield, who was not ready for the engage call from the referee injured his neck and play was stopped to call for an ambulance. As there were only two minutes left on the clock, the referee blew the whistle for full time. This was a much improved performance by Biggleswade and gives them confidence going into next weeks league match against Leicester Vipers. Team: Lee Panter (Dave Tysom), Darryl Rogers, James Caulfield, Iain Jones, Andrew Burke, Mark Peace, Ian Robinson, James Buttigeig, Ross Taylor, Mark Rastrick, Martin Matthew, Thom O'Connor, Martin Cray, Gareth Drew and Adam Sewell. |
|
|
|
|
|
Biggy Bystanders 10 - 26 Thorney - 18/11/06 |
|
|
Awaiting report |
|
|
|
|
|
Biggy Vets Won - 18/11/06 |
|
|
Awaiting report |
|
|
|
|
|
Biggleswade 5 |
|
|
Biggleswade paid the price for being unable to turn pressure into points while slack defence helped the visitors to a couple of tries. If Biggleswade don’t break the losing habit soon relegation will be inevitable especially with four points deducted for fielding unregistered players. Back from International duty was
Peter Shea at number eight but James Bakewell was unavailable. Bottom placed Biggleswade
competed well for the first half an hour but several good attacking positions
were wasted. Then for no rational reason Biggleswade tried to run the ball
from deep inside their “22”. A dropped pass gifted the BBOB centre the
softest of tries. With tall Ian Wilson and
athletic Ian Robinson good ball was won in the lineout and the scrums were
solid. The pack also set up the ball well and recycled it although at times
very slowly. But the golden rule then was to take it on again and drag a few
more defenders in before letting it out. It is not pretty but it is safe and
Biggleswade’s only try came from such a strategy. The forwards played well
throughout and were rewarded for a strong driving maul and several recycled
balls with a penalty opportunity. Unfortunately the kick was missed. With just injury time to go
before the break Biggleswade got their only points of the game. A tapped five
metre penalty was driven on by the forwards with flanker Karl Marshall ending
up at the bottom of the heap. The game restarted with
seemingly just seconds on the clock. Somehow the ball went loose and instead
of a safe touch kick BBOB had a second try for a comfortable 14-5 lead at
half-time. The start of the second half was
like the first with Biggleswade camped in BBOB’s half but getting no reward.
But when the visitors broke free they scored almost at once. Late on BBOB
exploited their pace out wide to add another try. That there were not other scores
was down to some determined tackling. Everyone did their share with even
Redwood Jones getting down low to make a tackle when it mattered. As always
Matt Keen made more than his share often chasing down a potential breakaway
to haul down the player. Next Saturday there is a
friendly against Dunstablians with a return to league action at Vipers the
week-end after that. Team: J Caulfield, D Rogers, D
Tysom (L Panter), A Burke, I Jones, K Marshall, I Robinson, P Shea, R Taylor,
M Rastrick, T O’Connor, M Keen, M Cray, S Churms (A Kennedy), A Sewell. |
|
|
|
|
TWO'S EDGE OUT THE POTTS ! Potton 7 Biggleswade 2nd XV 19 - 11/11/06 |
|
|
After last week's first outing for the two's and a convincing victory over Kempston, Biggy's second string faced the long and arduous journey to the undulating meadows of Potton for what is always a keenly contested local derby. A small, but vocal crowd had amassed on what initially was a very gloomy afternoon - if Potton had had floodlights, they might have needed them on ! Captain, Simon Rutt lost the toss and Potton's Matty Brown elected for Potts to have the wind in their favour in the first half. Early exchanges mirrored how the game would pan out, with neither team giving much away. It was no surprise, that from the outset Potton were well charged up for the match. Potton used the wind to great advantage in the first half, but Biggy took first blood when after much pressure from a driving maul - led by a rejuvenated the banker Hyland (this time playing for Biggy and not the opposition !) and the marauding number eight, James Buttigeg. Butty often goes without praise, but today his contribution to the side was immense. When the maul made it to the line, there was young would be boy band member, Chris Mills plundering a well deserved try, unconverted by evergreen Roy Greer. However, Biggy's lead was shortlived, Potts capitalised on Biggy's indecision from the kick off with a great sniping run from Matty Brown. Matty showed what an asset he is to Potts. With their centre breaking through, only a superb cover tackle from Officer Matthews delayed the inevitable. Pott's scored from the scrum and converted impressively to take the lead 7 - 5. Biggy then well marshaled Potts as they tried to take the game by the scruff of the neck, Biggy's back defence stood tall and kept them out. However it was in the forwards that where Biggy were really toiling away - the front row combined youth and experience, with Stubby, Roy Caulfield and young Paul Downie - all playing well. Unfortunately for all the possession that Biggy may have had points were hard to come by and errors from the backs were aplenty. The half finished with some interesting moments, with the light fading, the Squirrel Whisperer played some kind of improvised volleyball stroke and punched the ball on ! The other was where the Witchdoctor, having a very strong game on the wing, got in a tangle and obviously whipped up a spell on his opposite number ! This obviously upset him and a minor fracas commenced ! It was good to see Mr B wanted to taste victory !Half time came and Biggy were losing by two points. After his suit fitting appointment, Bish came on for the short sighted Squirrel at half time and Biggy started the half determined for a turn around. However, Potts sensing that a rare victory could be on the cards charged their game some more. Rampaging Aidey Bell and Wolfy Pibworth were everywhere and Biggy had to defend well to keep out a determined Potts pack. However the match changed when Albert came on for Paul Downie. Like a fizzing exocet, Albert found spaces on the pitch that had previously been hard to obtain. Albert linked emphatically with Benny Caulfield on a number of occasions and Biggy's fortunes turned. After hard hitting Flacky and the Banker had plundered some yards,Albert smashed a bigger hole and Benny sniping away, recycled. Twinkle Toes did the rest and in circa Mark Ramprakash stylee skipped through to the line, well converted by evergreen Greer. With the clock ticking on, the wind that had died down, ignited and Biggy's game now pinned Potts well into their half. If Potts did break out, excellent pin point kicking from Twinkle Toes and Officer Matthews put them back where they had come from. Biggy turned the screw once more, this time a superb backs move, that linked well with Butty, put the ignmatic Albert in for an excellent score. Duly converted by evergreen Greer. With Biggy now firmly in control, they turned the screw and held out as winners 19 - 7. There was much to be appreciated about this match, great work from the forwards in the first half and excellent play by the backs in the last twenty minutes when it counted. However much praise should go to both young Jason Livings and Chris Mills for answering SOS calls from Captain Simon Rutt - when there had been a number of last minute drop outs. Livings played with much conviction and he is sorely missed at Biggleswade, his loss is definitely the Ath's gain. However, boy band member Mills also played his heart out and his contribution was significant. Man of the match, crazy legs Albert, who hadn't played all season until this match even had the nerve to tell his Captain that morning that "I'm not fit you know !". Captain Simon Rutt said afterwards : " This was an important victory, Potton are such a hard team to play against and they pushed us all the way. A bit thank you to them for laying on great food at the Royal Oak after the match and for participating in such an excellent, evenly contested match". Biggy 2nd XV : Fireman Stubby, Roy, Young Downie (Crazy Legs Albert), Flacky, The Banker, Boy Band Member Mills, Big Jas, Butty, Benny Boy, Twinkle Toes, Squirrel Whisperer, Rutty (Captaino), Evergreen Greer, Witchdoctor, Officer Matthews. |
|
|
|
|
November Round Up |
|||
|
|
Results from this weekend First XV lost to Northampton BBOB 2nd XV won away to Potton Bystanders lost to St Neots Colts lost at home to Northampton BBOB after winning their first game the previous week at Rushden & Highan U16s beat Letchworth away U15s won at home against Stevenage, and U14s were left disappointed as Royston, yet again failed to show up for a fixture. Mini Section trounced Ely(away) in almost all age groups. |
|
Mini's Race Night Friday 17th November Raising funds for the 2007 Mini's Tour, first race at 7.30pm, with a few tickets still available, phone Neil Gregory on 01767 221640 . In past years, this has been a great fun night......all the family welcome. |
|
|
|
Pre Match Christmas Lunch. Saturday 23rd December prior to the First XV v St Ives game. For a great start to the festive period, pre lunch drinks at 12.15pm. Tickets are only £12 per person. See Tony Munns for details. |
|
Tesco Sports Vouchers The promotion has now finished, but keep sending any vouchers that you have collected into either Philippa (Kit Store) or Martin Harwood or put in the collection box on the bar. |
|
|
|
RFU Grand Draw 2006/7 Tickets will be with us very soon. This is a good way for the club to raise funds towards the lights, etc. We keep 90p for every £1 ticket sold. Look out for the posters around the clubhouse. There are some fantastic prizes this year, and there is no truth in the rumour that the eighth prize is the England coaching contract! |
|
New RDO for Bedfordshire. Sam Rouse has become the new Rugby Development Officer for Bedfordshire. Sam has been working in the west midlands until recently and will be helping Biggy in various ways including working with county Youth squads and assisting in club management as well as working with the local schools rugby development programmes. |
|
|
|
Club Management Committee. The next club committee meeting is on Monday 20th November at 8pm. |
|
Coaching Courses The are a number of level One coaching courses in the New Year. Full details are on www.emru.co.uk |
|
|
|
|
|
Biggleswade player in England Deaf Rugby Debut |
||
|
|
|
Biggleswade's long-serving number 8 Peter Shea played for England at the week-end. Not in front of 82,000 at Twickenham but at Swansea. But it was against Wales and although the Welsh won very easily (66-0) Peter enjoyed the experience. He played for all of the second half alongside players from National League 2 downwards. Thirty-nine year old Peter has been a regular member of the first team for the last eight years including two championship winning seasons. The next international is in two weeks time against Scotland and Peter is confident that he did enough on Saturday to be in with a good chance of selection. "It was quicker than a normal club match," he conceeded, "but playing with quality players was a great experience," he added. |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Halloween 2006 - Fancy dress was scary this year, Shame Mark never dressed up |
||
|
|
Mark in the red shirt |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Sheepwalk Pitches |
||
|
|
Now that Sheepwalk Pitches are being used, please note that there are some issues that we need to adhere to; No vehicles are allowed either in the lane or on the pitch. The Emergency access point is at the far end of the track on the pitch side. Please bring all litter back to the clubhouse or use the bin by the trailer. If the ball goes into neighbouring properties, please do not climb through the hedge to retrieve. Remember that we have neighbours! watch your language. There are still stones to be removed, please spend some time prior to the game or training session 'walking' the pitch for stones. If children are either playing or spectating over on Sheepwalk, keep away from the pond, and take care of the road. |
||
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday 4th November. |
|
|
The Sheepwalk pitches were used for the first time when Biggy Bystanders (3rds) played Ely. The referee commented afterwards that the playing surface was fine and congratulated the club on the development of the pitches. Despite the good start today, the pitches will still need more work on stone picking, a small number of stones could still pose a problem. One suggestion is that players should 'walk' the pitch after their warm-up and prior to the game. Congratulations to the Bystanders on becoming the first Biggy side to play on Sheepwalk. For the match report (we lost!) the webmaster (who was absent visiting family across Yorkshire) is waiting for information. |
|
|
|
|
|
Top-of-the-Table Vipers showed
their class in the first thirty minutes of this match. But then Biggleswade
dug so deep they won the next fifty scoring the try of the game in the
process. Vipers have been piling up
massive scores against other sides in the league and Biggleswade looked to be
heading the same way. Despite a good opening burst Biggleswade were soon
rocked by the explosive running and sharp passing of the visitors. After the Biggleswade continued to press
hard for another score. Flanker Sam Churms had one storming thirty run and
Gareth Drew too jinked his way through several defenders. Young Adam Sewell
was always safe at full-back and on the counter-attack was a difficult man to
stop. Despite the welcome return of
James Bakewell the pack without the leadership of Peter Shea (absent on
International duty with the England Deaf XV) struggled against a well
organised front five. Youngster Paul Downie at prop was having his first
outing of the season for the 1st XV and found it a tough baptism.
But he stuck to the task well and with greater fitness could be what
Biggleswade are looking for in the front row. Although losing there were
plenty of plus points to suggest that Biggleswade could do well against the
likes of Oadby and Long Buckby as well as Rushden and Newtonians who have
still to visit Northampton BBOB is the visitors
to Team: P Downie, (K Marshall), D
Rogers, J Caulfield, A Burke, I Jones, J Bakewell, S Churms, I Robinson, R
Taylor, M Rastrick, G Drew, M Keen, D Garden, M Cray, A Sewell. |
|
|
|
|
|
SECONDS RETURN WITH A BANG ! Biggleswade 2nd XV 67 Kempston 2nd XV 7 - 4/12/06 |
|
|
On a beautiful, crisp afternoon, last season's much vaunted Biggy 2nd XV made their first appearance of the season. Due to countless injuries, non availability and bad luck, Captain Simon Rutt had not been able to play Biggy's second string until now. Last season provided an exceptional run of impressive results and ended winning the Greene King League, so it was important to begin, where they had left off Kempston, so often a thorn in Biggy's side, provided the opposition and arrived with only eleven men. The sides were evened up when both Brian Hyland and Mark Peace volunteered to play for the opposition, it was a true club affair, with Roy Caulfield refereeing. Biggy tore into Kempston at a howitzer pace, with the guile and pace being provided from all quarters. The partnership of Ben Caulfield and Steve Bishop at nine and ten respectively worked very well, Ben's intelligent thinking along with Bish's pinpoint kicking was instrumental in the establishment of a successful platform. From there on Nathan Thoday (aka Ille Nastase) did the rest with a powerful blend of guile and forceful running and provided excellent four tries.Nathan also provided Kempston with theirs as well !! He, however was well supported by his brother, Frankie, who once again tackled like a mad man possessed and also poached a try. The front row of Stubby, Stan and Briggsy looked imposing and stood tall against an impressive Kempston pack. Stan as ever grabbed a trademark try, but Mr Briggs deserves the accolades this week, he was on top form - with some very impressive bullocking runs. Jason, (with more vulcan padding on his knee than Godfrey Buzzard could lay his hands on !!) showed his commitment to the cause, by continuing with the game - even though in a great deal of pain following a knee injury. Young,Chris Mills shone in 2nd row and showed what a force he will be over the next few years. Unfortunately, mid way through the first half, Biggy lost sturdy Andy Peat - with a broken hand, Andy will be out for six weeks and we wish him a speedy recovery. Officer Davis, once again provided plenty of big hits and at times, took on the Kempston pack on his own. God help the folk of Norfolk where he patrols or the rabbits at night ! Jim Young (aka the Squirrel Whisperer) returning to the 2nd XV after his travels with the firsts, he showed that he is a force to be reckoned with on the wing. Jim showed on plenty of occasions that Casual's lost is definitely Biggy's gain, he, too grabbed an impressive try. On the other wing, was the Witchdoctor, fresh from plundering tries for the Vets at Dunstable, Mr B, grabbed another brace and still had time to moan ! Clearing up at full back, was studious Tom O'Connor, who looked the speedster that he clearly is. Tom's efforts went unrewarded, but his tackling was first rate. Not to be outdone, Captain, Simon Rutt, plundered a try in the corner and promptly asked for more of the same. The events were completed with a Bish try, who also popped over six conversions. Mentions must go to both Brian Hyland and Mark Peace - who relished their opportunity to smash into their team mates ! Their efforts for playing for Kempston were much appreciated, as were Kempston - who even though depleted, turned up and honoured the fixture, when many other sides wouldn't have done so. Thank you Kempston. Also thanks to Roy Caulfield for taking charge of the proceedings and for doing so magnificently. Captain, Simon Rutt said afterwards " This was just what the Doctor ordered and an excellent preparation for side's next match at Potton on Saturday". Biggy 2nd XV : Fireman Stubby, Stanley, Briggsy, Young Mills, Mad Frank, Doorman (Broken) Peat, Officer Davis, Benny Boy, Bish, Squirrel Whisperer, Rutty, Ille Nastase, Student Tom, WitchDoctor. |
|
|
|
|
|
|