With the Vets turning out Biggleswade were missing two from last week (Stan Matthews & Ian Flack) and two other key players (Ross Taylor & Peter Shea) were resting. So with Matt Keen at scrum-half and Gareth Drew in the centre the backs had a different look about them. When Russell German went off Karl Marshall plugged the gap and did very well too tackling magnificently.

Despite all the problems of the past week Biggleswade started well and pressed Hitchin hard for the first quarter. Then disaster struck and Russell German was forced off. He has been missing from the top flight since late February but this knee injury was a different strain to the last one.

When Hitchin finally got on the score sheet after twenty minutes one try led to another and it was 17 – 0 by the break. With the wind and slope in their favour Biggleswade were confident of a better second half but it was not to be as the hosts grabbed two more quick scores.

In the absence of Peter Shea, Ian Robbo Robinson played a stormer at number eight rampaging about in attack and defence. Mention must also be made of Lee Panter who although subfreezing a crippling groin injury that meant he could not stand still soldiered on at prop to give Biggleswade some stability.

Biggleswade rallied towards the end of the game to stop Hitchin getting the half century. A final effort resulted in a try by Matt Keen after a switch move that went well that Mark Rastrick converted.

Tram: A Burke, D Rogers, L Panter, M Roberts, I Jones, J Caulfield, K Marshall, I Robinson, M Keen, M Rastrick, S Churms, G Drew, R German, A Sewell, M Matthews

Biggy started slowly and gave to the formidable Dunstable pack too much respect. From a well won move, the D's shipped it out to their backs, where their gray haired (this is vets isn't it ?) stocky centre  barged his way through some pretty weak Biggy backs tackling.  With the try converted, Biggy were behind and facing what looked like an awkward half - especially playing into the wind.  However, this was not to be the case.  The years of experience  and bulk took their toll and the Biggy pack ran up the field as if they were chasing the winning lotto ticket!  In a superb move, principally led by Joe Jordan (who as ever was in the thick of everything) and 1st teamer Stan Matthews, formidable Steve 'UB' Vanstone plundered over for a great try. Unfortunately the kick was missed by evergreen Roy Greer, this would be his only error of the day !  Then Officer Davis appeared for his customary late showing ! Jules' appearance buoyed the team further, however the front row of Flacky (another 1st teamer !), Stan and an unusually quiet Roy Caulfield, twisted and turned the D's opposition and placed them in a strangle hold.  Biggy took the lead when the 'Witchdoctor' Tony Bedford ripped through the opposition and scored under the posts, converted by Mr Greer.  With Mr Maddock's placing at aggressively at scrum half instead of Mally Taylor, Biggy used all their guile to keep D's out.  With the 1st team in a friendly, coach, Pete Biernis, used the match to vent his frustrations and played superbly, often linking well with his other second row partner, UB.  Another Biggy converted try was plundered at the end of the half, but I can't remember from whom.  At the end, Mr Greer terrorital kicking did the job and the side turned round 19 - 7 up.

With Officer Davis departing the arena (after a cameo role), he was replaced by Colin Abrahams (papa smurf).  Further intelligent kicking this time from twinkle toes - Alec Cochrane, led Stan Matthews to dance his way into the corner !  With the screw well and truly being turned and with the wind at their backs, Biggy toyed with the D's.  Andy Peat enjoying his afternoon in the back row, bullocked his way through and scored an impressive try as well.  God help those who wish to annoy Mr Peat when his carries out his door work !  Dunstablians still tried in vain to get into Biggy's half, but each time were repelled by the superb defence of the backs - as marshalled by Twinkle Toes.  There was also great tackling from those elusive wingers -  Mr Nigel Quiney - who had voiced concerns that he had found a hamstring ! and Captaino Shov.  Simon Rutt, coming back from back injury, marked his return with a try after a kick ahead and the events were concluded by another try for Flacky - who steamed over from ten yards and the earth shook !  He is now on for a hat trick next week !! All told Mr Greer collected 12 points and six conversions ! Great effort !

This was a great, enjoyable effort by the Vets against a very strong Dunstablians side.  Particularly commended for their efforts were Flacky, Joe and Maddocks - who were well in the thick of it !  Well done Lads !

Biggy Vets :  Flacky, Caulfield, Stan, Beano, UB, Joe, Peaty, Officer Davis,(Papa Smurf), Maddocks, Evergreen Greer,Hamstring Quiney, Twinkle Toes, Rutty, Shov, WitchDoctor.

Midlands 4 East (South) Old Newtonians 13 Biggleswade 12

Biggleswade dominated this match but for a poor first quarter and were very disappointed to lose by the narrowest of margins. So the run of defeats by the Leicester side continued. However there was sufficient plus points in this match to suggest it will be a different story in the return tie.

Once again Biggleswade had to reshuffle their side with five changes from last week so were not at full strength. Then when they were still getting the journey out of the system Biggleswade were rocked by two tries in quick succession with a lack of effective tackling clearly exploited.

Ten points down and up the slope Biggleswade worked hard to get back on level terms. Scrum half Ross Taylor was again a live wire linking well with Matt Keen at fly-half. A chip over the top just eluded the stand-off as it bounced the wrong way near the corner.

Both Biggleswade young wingers had their moments with Adam Sewell looking dangerous on the burst and Sam Churm being more silky and elusive.

As the teams started the second half the heavens opened and there was a twenty minute deluge. Undaunted the Biggleswade pack took control and after shunting Newts back at a scrum rolled over the try line at an ensuing maul. The irrepressible Ian Flack was at the bottom of the pile and claimed the try.

This method of attack almost worked again on the other side of the pitch. As the Newts were being trundled back on the by now very greasy surface they tried all manner of dirty tricks to slow the progress of the Biggleswade juggernaut. So it was no surprise when the referee awarded a penalty try under the posts. Mark Rastrick added the two points for the conversion.

In between the two tries Newts added a penalty to their tally after the Biggleswade backs were caught off-side. So in the final ten minutes Biggleswade needed any score to clinch a win. Stan Matthews made an unlikely dash for the line from half-way after a tap down at the front of the lineout. His attempted chip over the defence went out on the full. For a 43 year old he does very well.

Team: L Panter, D Rogers, A Burke, I Flack (M Roberts), I Jones, J Caulfield, (S Matthews), I Robinson, P Shea, R Taylor, M Keen, A Sewell, M Rastrick, D Garden, S Churms, S Bishop.

Next week is a pool fixture possibly Stockwood Park in the Bedfordshire Vase, followed by a home league match against Vipers who are currently league leaders. Away from home with a very weak side it was a fifty-four point drubbing. At Langford Road it was a nail-biting eight – nil loss with all the points coming late on.

Biggleswade formerly known as thirds 24 - 17 Cantabs

Cantabs (not for the first time this season) played uncontested scrums due to lack of front row players, which they did to their benefit for most of the match.

Thanks to all players who turned out for a valuable win in the GK League.

I think I speak for all the regular players in Dave "the Bars" team in saying he has kept the side running for several seasons and his position is open for him.

Also open is position for reporter in this side as this report is rubbish - email biggy.rugby.co.uk

Next week Vets play Dunstablians away and all other teams face pool matches.

Bedfordshire Cup – First Round    Kempston 20 Biggleswade 18  - 7/10/06

After the pre-season warm up match when Kempston had looked very powerful Biggleswade traveled full of trepidation although buoyed up by last week’s win. In the event the game was very even and only a penalty goal in the last ten minutes decided the tie.

Biggleswade were without their centres Danny Garden and Martin Cray from last week, two big forwards (Andy Burke & Ian Flack) and the full-back (Damian White) but all the replacements acquitted themselves well. Matt Keen and Tom O’Connor were the pick of the bunch in the centre where their strength in attack and defence played a big part.

But the outstanding player and man-of-the-match for Biggleswade was Ross Taylor. Like a batsman who is expected to score a hundred every time he goes to the wicket, Ross is in a purple patch. He harried his opposite scrum-half into one mistake after another. His tackle count was high and he made both of Biggleswade’s tries.

Things started pretty evenly with Biggleswade playing against the wind but with a slight slope advantage. Ian Jones and Mark Roberts dominated the lineout with Peter Shea tidying up at the back. But a couple of missed tackles on two occasions and Biggleswade were fourteen points down as Kempston ran in two tries that were both converted.

But Biggleswade quickly hit back with a try from lock Mark Roberts his first at the top senior level after a break by Ross Taylor. Mark is not noted for his speed around the park but on this occasion was in close support and just the right place for the pop pass.

Kempston stretched their lead with a drop goal but Mark Rastrick showed he could score them too with one at the other end. His was less showy than the other with the minimum effort and the perfect trajectory to just slide over the cross-bar.

At 8-17 down at the break Biggleswade still felt very much in the game.

The start of the second half was much like the first with both sides threatening to score. Biggleswade were again forced to dig deep to protect their line. They rang the changes with Tom Griffith replacing Mark Roberts, Dave Tysom (Lee Panter) and Jim Young (Gareth Drew) all having a run out. Late on Lenny Lenachan (an Army player) also had a brief spell on the wing.

Biggleswade’s second try came when Ross Taylor made a break down the centre and chipped over the defence for Matt Keen to chase and touchdown. Mark Rastrick’s conversion narrowed the deficit to just two points.

With the game entering its final quarter Mark Rastrick slotted home a penalty to give Biggleswade the lead for the first time in the match. But it was soon cancelled out by the late Kempston penalty.

“We are disappointed to have lost such a tight game” said Biggleswade’s skipper Mark Rastrick, “but this is a bid improvement on our last game against Kempston.”

The next league match is at home against the newly promoted Peterborough Lions outfit who have a 100% record with two straight wins. But home advantage may count for something and with confidence much higher than at the start of the season an upset may be possible. The key area though has got to be first time tackling.

Team: J Caulfield, S Matthews, L Panter (D Tysom), M Roberts, (T Griffith ) I Jones, D Rogers,  P Shea, R Taylor, M Rastrick, G Drew, (J Young) M Keen, T O’Connor, S Bishop (L Lenachan), A Kennedy.

Biggy 1sts win away at Rushden & Higham.

Beer tokens for those senior players who train Tuesdays & Thursdays. For a trial period the club will issue free beer tokens to senior players training both nights.

County Cup home matches for the U14s and U16s vs Leighton Buzzard on Sunday 15th October KO 11am, all support welcome.

Northampton Saints cashback game on Saturday October 28th vs Border Reivers in the Heineken Cup with Biggleswade U9s and U10s playing in the preliminary tournament at Franklins Gardens. For cashback tickets speak to Alan Evans U10s coach (contacts details on the website)

Sheepwalk Pitches, All club members are asked to spares some time on Sunday October 29th 10am to help with the final stone-pick at Sheepwalk. It is vital that these pitches are playable soon, so that the main pitches are rested.

Also on October 29th, The Bell Charity will presenting chuques to various local youth groups in the clubhouse after training. We have been recipients of over £1000 in the past and welcome the chance to host their cheque presentations, music will be provided by one of the band's being presented with a cheque.

Charles Wells The club are pleased to announce a new bar supplier. Charles Wells have agreed to become drinks suppliers and a sponsor the Biggleswade RUFC, the Wells beers include Bombardier Premium Bitter, Eagle IPA Red Stripe Lager and the Youngs range of beers now brewed at Bedford. This represents a major opportunity for the club and members, as Wells will also become a club sponsor. Charles Wells are also going to renovate the cellar and support the club in other ways, details to follow!

Halloween Disco on 4th November, (adults) and a childrens Halloween Party on October 29th 4-6pm, this is open to all member's children. Tickets for both from Bev Athow or Dave The Bar

Matt King competed the Great North Run on October 1st, the first wheelchair 'runner' to do so.

Tesco vouchers are being collected to go towards Mini/Youth equipment, there is a collection box on the bar or see Philippa in the Kit Store.