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Welcome to September 06 Newsletter |
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Senior Training |
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NEWSLETTERS ARCHIVE |
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Tuesday and Thursday on the pitch from 7:30 Follow the Training Link to see who your Training Buddy is. |
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August 06 Newsletter If the newest reports are not here try right clicking and refresh/reload this frame |
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Midlands 4 East (South) - Rushden & Higham 3 Biggleswade 28 - 30/09/06 |
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Biggleswade were playing up the
slope in the first half and with the heavens opening as the teams took the
pitch conditions were miserable for the first twenty minutes. Rushden struck almost at once converting a
penalty in front of the posts after an off-side decision. Undaunted Biggleswade went deep
from the restart and a lineout ensued five metres out. With the tall Iain
Jones restored to the side after a matrimonial adventure the ball was tapped
down in a pre-called move. In a flicker of an eye Stan Matthews took the tap and
was over the line for a try to give Biggleswade the lead. Despite being up the slope
Biggleswade looked largely in control. Rushden’s main weapon was a chip over
the top but James Young at full-back managed to clear the danger. Rushden had
to use this tactic as there was clearly no way through the middle where the
combined tackling of centres Danny Garden and Martin Cray was solid. Any
slight leakages were rapidly covered by the marauding Ross Taylor or
open-side flanker Darryl Rogers. Mark Rastrick’s kicking from
hand was generally well directed. One punt downfield found Rushden in
disarray. Forced to concede a scrum, when they argued, the referee awarded a
penalty for dissent and Mark Rastrick added the three points. Biggleswade extended their lead
when scrum-half Ross Taylor, who had an outstanding game in all areas, darted
up the blind-side for a try. This was after more good work by the forwards
with Andy Burke and Ian Flack both punching holes. With the advantage of the
slope still to come Biggleswade at 13-3 up at the break were in the box-seat. In the second half Biggleswade
employed the tactic of kicking long and forcing Rushden to turn and cover on
the slippery pitch. Biggleswade went further ahead with another Mark Rastrick
penalty. But the best was still to come. A Rushden supporter rated
Biggleswade’s front five as the dominant factor in the game, a view that was
underlined when the pack shunted Rushden over the line for a try by number
eight Peter Shea. From near the touchline Mark Rastrick added the extra two
points. Biggleswade’s final try that
came on the stroke of full-time was a peach. A chip and gather by Stan
Matthews and a burst through by Peter Shea who fed Ross Taylor for his second
try. An excellent away win. The next
league match is at home in two weeks against the much fancied Peterborough
Lions outfit. Team: J Caulfield, S Matthews, A
Burke (L Panter), I Flack, M Roberts, I Jones, D Rogers, P Shea, R Taylor, M Rastrick, G Drew, M
Cray, D Garden, D White, (S Bishop), J Young (A Kennedy). |
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After last week’s close
encounter with Copsewood in the Senior Vase this was a much harder encounter.
Newly promoted Brackley were full of confidence but Biggleswade defended well
until the last quarter of the match. Biggleswade were forced to reshuffle their side after late drop-outs. Getting a settled side with so many injuries, weddings and work commitments is proving a headache for skipper Mark Rastrick. Playing up the slope and against
the wind in the first half on a warm afternoon Biggleswade camped in
Brackley’s half for the first quarter of an hour but got no points on the
board. They had good control in the lineout through James Bakewell and Mark
Roberts and the scrums were tight. Unfortunately once again young
full-back Mark Smith was forced to leave the field. He made one stunning
catch at full tilt but in the follow up tackle badly twisted his knee and
limped off. This caused Biggleswade to make another restructure. Damian White
who had made several determined runs on the wing went to full-back and Gareth
Drew came on to the wing. When Brackley broke free good
opportunities were missed as Biggleswade with Ross Taylor much to the fore
rattled Brackley into making mistakes. Ross at scrum-half has not the
greatest pass but his whole-hearted determination in making the tackle was an
inspiration to the rest of the team. Eventually though after thirty
minutes and a missed tackle Brackley took the lead with a converted try. Biggleswade started the second
half like the first and took the game deep into Brackley’s “22”. Matt Keen
back in the side after a social engagement made several good breaks but
always from too deep to seriously threaten the line. When nothing came from the
attacks Brackley scored at the other end. As control in the lineout
evaporated for Biggleswade and the pack wilted in the hot sun, Brackley took
control running in four more tries. Biggleswade’s only response was a Mark
Rastrick penalty. This week-end Biggleswade again
have to travel thanks to some curious fixture arrangements by the RFU. But
only as far as Rushden & Higham up the A6 from Team: J Caulfield, S Matthews, L
Panter, (I Flack), M Roberts, (P Biernis) A Burke, D |
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Biggy 3rd - League defeat - 23/09/06 |
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Biggy thirds travel to Shelford to play there first league game but came away with no points At the end of the first half the game was over with Shelford scoring four tries and converting two. The highlight of the half was a splendid try saving tackle from D Hassall on the wing. The second half saw much better performance with Biggy scoring first curtsey of Ben Caufield, converted by Dave the bar Tysom but Shelford replied with two further tries and converted both It must be said we never gave up but to many errors by us gave them the game. Final score shelford 38 biggy 7 Better luck next time when we travel to Newmarket. |
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Biggy 3rd taste victory at last - 16/09/06 |
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Last week biggleswade took on Westwood thirds watched by shirt sponsors for the team Saffron Insurance many thanks from the club and players With a mix up in referees David "the bar" Tysom took the whistle for the game. The first half saw Biggy score first by Del Hilditch but was juried to have drop over the line so no try then with forward control Biggy once again bridge Westwood’s line to score by Andy Peat converted by Ben Caufield the second try was well work the the backs for Mark Peace to score his first try for Biggleswade unconverted Second half saw much of the same Biggy making it had for them self and Westwood battling hard but two more tries came Biggy way scores Julian Davies and Adam Fage One more conversion added by Ben Caulfield final score 24-0 to Biggy 3rds Final note many thanks again to saffron insurance and the many guest that attended the pre match lunch and to the 3rds for recording ther first win long it may continue |
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Grant Succes |
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Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation have agreed to financially support the club in its quest to attract new players into rugby. The club is delighted to have Beds & Luton Community Foundation working with us. The aim of the Community Foundation is to increase access to sport and exercise for people from all social and ethnic backgrounds, and to encourage people to take part in sporting activities that bring communities together. We will be using the grant aid money provided to publicise the club and its activities within the community and to encourage new participants in both rugby and squash.
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Senior Vase – Preliminary Round - Copsewood 25 Biggleswade 20 (aet) 16/09/06 |
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Copsewood (formerly Coventry
Marconi) play in Midlands 4 West the same level eight as Biggleswade so there
was hope of doing well. Certainly the opening exchanges were all in
Biggleswade’s favor. The forwards were in control at the tight scrums with
veteran Stan Matthews taking three against the head. James Bakewell and
Nathan Thoday dominated the lineout despite the presence of a giant in
Copsewood’s pack. After going close in the corner
Biggleswade opened the scoring with a well struck penalty from Mark Rastrick. But Biggleswade slowly
surrendered the initiative. They let Copsewood take control to score a try in
each half and a penalty to lead 15 – 3 with fifteen minutes to go. But Biggleswade played their
“Joker” and brought coach Peter Biernis on instead of Stan Matthews. This
needed a rearrangement of positions with Darryl Rogers going to hooker,
Nathan Thoday to the backrow and the coach into the powerhouse. But the
gamble worked wonders as Biggleswade started going forward with more vigour. Finally after several close
calls winger James Young (now exiled in Northampton but deciding this season
that Biggleswade offers better rugby than Casuals) crossed for a try that was
unconverted. Finally in the closing minute’s centre Tom O’Connor went over
too. The superb conversion kick from near the touchline brought the scores
level and took the game into ten minutes each way extra time. Almost at once Copsewood scored
a penalty and a converted try soon afterwards appeared to be enough. But once
more brave Biggleswade battled back and Tom O’Connor scored his second try
and the side’s third. With the conversion missed despite a second chance
after Copsewood shouted as the kick was taken, Biggleswade had to score
another try in the last two minutes for victory but this they were just not
able to do. Next week the league campaign
starts with an away trip to Brackley who were promoted from East Midlands /
Leicester at the end of last season. On their large wide pitch this will be
another challenge but hopefully a few of last week’s absentees will report
back fit for duty to provide cover for some of the creaking joints. Team: A Burke, S Matthews (P
Biernis), L Panter, J Bakewell, N Thoday, R Robinson, D Rogers, P Shea, R
Taylor, M Rastrick, N James, D Garden, T O’Connor, J Young, D White, P
Biernis. |
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Biggleswade 10 Hitchin 31 - 9/9/06 |
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Two excellent tries in the first
half that was very equal proved to a flash in the pan as Biggleswade faded
badly in the second half. But niggling injuries to five players that meant
Biggleswade played with just 14 men for the last quarter did not help. The first try came after just
eight minutes and was a cracker.
There was a slick three-quarter move with quick hands. Ross Taylor
from full-back created an overlap and the pace of Adam Sewell did the rest. Hitchin replied with a try to
equal the score and could have had another but for desperate defence and a
defensive touchdown by prop A J Burke the last line of protection. But Biggleswade hit back with a
second score to regain the lead. With James Bakewell leaping high in the air
and catching anything that was thrown in the forwards secured good ball.
Burly centre Andy Peat who wants to switch to number eight set up an
attacking maul. James Bakewell popped inside to hooker Darryl Rogers who
raced over the line. The second half was
disappointing as the bank became like a casualty clearing station as one
player after another left the field of play to get treatment on thankfully
comparatively minor injuries. This Saturday in the Senior
Vase, Biggleswade have again drawn the short straw with a lengthy away trip
to The A XV plays |
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Senior Training |
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NEWSLETTERS ARCHIVE |
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Tuesday and Thursday on the pitch from 7:30 Follow the Training Link to see who your Training Buddy is. |
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If the newest reports are not here try right clicking and refresh/reload this frame |
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