Biggar 22

Gala 22

Al Stewart

at Hartree Mill

LEAGUE leaders Biggar preserved their 2019 unbeaten home record at Hartree Mill on Saturday - but only just against a good Gala team.

The Lanarkshire side were under no illusions that this would be a real test, after their experiences in the first match at Netherdale indicating that the Maroons were a very difficult side to play.

That first encounter ended with Biggar deep in defence as they tried in desperation to maintain a slender three point lead.

That they did so was down primarily to a water-tight defence but also to the fact that Gala chose to go for touch on three occasions rather than the kick at goal.

It was really ironic therefore that in this latest encounter, and with just a couple of minutes remaining on the clock, Biggar had a late penalty decision.

The opening exchanges on Saturday were fairly fraught as both sides sought to gain control of the match.

The Gala pack, with prop Terry Logan and Cody Roman to the fore, had Biggar under pressure while the strong running of centre Rex Jeffrey was also causing problems.

For Biggar, the pack, bar from the problems in the set piece, looked up to the challenge with the back three of Robbie Orr, Rowan Stewart and Mark Bertram as usual looking dangerous.

The deadlock was broken on the 20 minute mark when Ross Cooke landed a penalty.

This lead lasted just a few minutes however as Biggar pressed home an attack from the restart. Bertram had made a darting run on the blindside from a scrum and the big man featured in the very next phase as he took an inside pass from Conor Lavery to slice through the initial line of defence. His pass found centre Andy Jardine who crossed for an excellent score.

Gala’s next attack was initially well tidied by Orr but in his attempt to counter attack his wide pass evaded Bertram and Gala stand off Ruairi Howarth was on hand to hack forward and score a try, which Cooke converted for 10-5.

Gala extended their lead after scoring from deep in their own half after a dropped pass by Biggar.

Cooke was onto the ball first and in a 75 metre chase he was just able to elude the tackle of Orr to score under the posts which.

The conversion took Gala into a 17-5 lead.

But Biggar responded early in the second half.

A penalty from Jardine took play to within 10 metres of the Gala line where the catch and drive was employed once again to such an effect that prop Donald Voas crashed over for a score.

With six minutes gone this looked as though it might signal a Biggar fightback but this was derailed somewhat when just a few minutes later Gala scrum half Fergus Johnston ran a beautiful line to carve through the midfield defence. Although the conversion was missed, Gala led 22-10.

The Biggar pack were now gaining ascendancy however and this began to tell.

Logan brought a line drive down illegally and referee Duncan had no hesitation in showing him a yellow.

Biggar pressed home their one man advantage by opting for a scrum and by completing a pushover try credited to Ross Jackson. Jardine was just wide with the conversion but with 15 minutes left there was now just one score in the game.

A long passage of play with Biggar on the front foot had Gala firmly on the defensive and a series of big carries by among others Jamie Orr, Lewis Stewart and Sanderson took their toll on the Gala legs and strength.

A penalty towards the corner in the closing minutes yet again set up the home pack.

The driving maul was this time converted by prop Richard Bassett. Jardine’s conversion was successful and the match was all set for a superb climax at 22-22.

Biggar hearts soared as the Gala restart was kicked too long, leading to a Biggar scrum on half way.

This put Biggar back on the attack and sure enough with just injury time remaining Biggar worked their way into the Gala half and won yet another penalty.

In the event the kick at goal was chosen and a hush as has rarely been witnessed descended on the Hartree Mill pitch.

While well struck the ball flew wide and referee Duncan blew for full time.

Biggar: R. Orr, M. Bertram, R. Hutton, A. Jardine, R. Stewart, C. Lavery, D. Reive, D. Voas, E. Stewart, R. Bassett, C. Borthwick, J. Campbell, J. Orr, L. Stewart, R. Jackson. Reps: D. Voas, A. Peacock, E. Sanderson, R. Lavery, R. Bradford.

Gala: S Fairburn, A Mitchell, R Cooke, D Nicholson, R Jeffrey, R Howarth, F Johnston, E Dodds, L Scott, A Dun, C Roman, R Irvine, T Logan, J Easson & M Christie. Reps: K Scott, J Irvine, J Chambers, M Amos & D Keddie.