Biggar Colts Report 18th February 2012

Biggar 43                  Kilmarnock 0

The Colts moved into the quarter finals of the National U-18 Cup with an emphatic win over Kilmarnock at the Showfield. Straight from the kick-off they showed their intention with 17 phases of play taking them close to, but not over the Kilmarnock line. However within five minutes, at an attacking 5 m scrum, the ball was popped to scrum half Danny McGinn who sprinted past the cover.  The second and final score of the first half came from a midfield break by Mark Bertram deep into the 22. The ball was quickly recycled and fed out to second row Liam Harvey to score in the corner for a 10-0 lead in the second half.
The forwards were well on top of the opposition, this and set great support play took its toll on Kilmarnock in the second half with five unanswered tries run in Biggar. The first came from a typical Robbie Swann break up the centre of the pitch. When tackled he offloaded to Graham Jamieson who finished off with a score in the corner. Gavin Parker then made an excellent break scything through the defence for what looked like a brilliant individual try. However he was stopped a couple of metres short, but was able to offload to the supporting Paul Davidson to score under the posts. Mark Bertram got on the score sheet following a quick tap penalty was fed out the line beyond the cover for an easy run in. Andrew Fleming set up the next try with a fine line break before passing to the supporting Callum Whyte. Andrew Fleming then set up the final try with a tremendous break up the wing and pass inside to Peter Millar for a score under the posts. Gavin Parker converted four of the tries. Man of the Match was Robbie Swann.

Development Officer Update

After a meeting this morning between Andy, the Vice-President and I it has been agreed that in the best interest of both parties Andy will stay in post until the beginning of March.
This will ensure that our commitments up until then are fulfilled properly, and will enable us to have all necessary documents in place for a new D.O. when appointed.
Dr. Doug Ward CBE.
President BRFC

Andy Tither Resignation

I regret to have to announce that our Development Officer, Andy Tither, has tendered his resignation and will be leaving us with effect from 29th February.

I am sure that everyone at Hartree Mill will join me in wishing Andy every success in his future career and offer our sincere thanks for all his hard work with the surrounding schools and at the Club.

Ian Conn,

Hon Secretary

Biggar Colts Report 21st January 2012

Biggar 46              Livingston 0

On a cold, wet and windy Showfield, the Colts played some excellent rugby to defeat Livinston by eight unanswered tries. It took just 10 minutes for them break through following an excellent burst into the line by full back Peter Millar. He drew the last man and with a well timed  pass to Graham Jamieson, put the winger in for a score in the corner. Five minutes later the ball was worked out to Graham Jamieson who made a great break up the wing before being tackled only 15m out from the line. The ball was recycled and after a couple of pick and go drives, Robbie Swan crashed over from 5 meters out. The third came from Paul  Davidson who took a pop pass at pace from Danny McGinn on the 22. He powered through a couple of would be tacklers for a good solo try. Just before half time Biggar were again pressing the Livingston line. When the ball popped out of the ruck, the ever alert Danny McGinn was first to react and scrambled over the line to give Biggar a 22-0 lead at half-time.

After 10 minutes, Biggar were again camped on the Livingston line, when eventually Zander Lyon picked up from the base of the ruck to drive over. Within a couple of minutes of that score, Mark Bertram beat two men in the centre and passed to Andrew Fleming on the wing who outpaced the cover to run in under the posts from 40m out. The wind and rain took a turn for the worse for a period of 10 minutes during which very little rugby was able to be played, but credit to the boys because when it eased back down they ran in two further tries. The first was a crash ball to Craig McDonald from the base of a ruck 5 meters out. Paul Davidson was then sin-brinned for a late tackle and despite being down to 14 men, they  were still able to score the final try of the game. Some good handling by the backs, released Andrew Fleming to score in the corer from 25 meters out. Craig McDonald converted two of the tries.

Another good day out by the Colts who are looking to beat Portobello next week which will see them progress into the Shield section of the Edinburgh Cup.

Biggar Colts Report 14th January 2012

Ross High 7               Biggar 74

The Colts got their Edinburgh Cup campaign off to a flier with a thumping win at Ross High, when they ran in  eleven tries to Ross High's one. This was their first game since the 3rd December, but there was very little rustiness in their play. The forwards dominated in the scrum  and line-out and made huge inroads with their driving mauls and secured a lot of ball at rucks. Not to be outdone, the backs ran most of the ball and showed good running lines and support play to make the most of the ball. The try scorers were A Fleming (3), J Muir (2), D Began (2), M Bertram (2), R Swan (1), J Orr (1), Paul Davidson (1). P Miller converted six tries and C McDonald converted one.  The team was delighted for J Orr, making his comeback following his injury earlier in the season.

Colts Update for January 2011

ALL players are reminded that training commences on Thursday 5th January at the Clubhouse - if the venue has to be changed due to weather, the coaches will contact you by text.

The draw for the Edinburgh U-18 Shield/Plate Competition has been made and the Colts fixtures are:-

14th Jan away to Ross High

21st Jan home to Livingston

28th Jan away to Portobello

If we are first or second in our Group we go into the Shield, if we are third or fourth we go into the Plate.

Biggar Colts Report 2nd December 2011

Haddington 19                      Biggar  15 

In their final game in the league, the Colts traveled to Haddington confident of a win. However, a stronger Haddington team and slightly under par performance by Biggar resulted in a win for Haddington. Biggar’s first try came from quick ruck ball straight to Craig McDonald who crashed over from short range. A good break by Andrew Fleming made a huge hole in the Haddington defence, he presented the ball to Robbie Swan who picked up and drove over the line. The final try came from some good interplay and offloading by the backs, with the final pass going to Robbie Swan to score in the corner.
In the final 5 minutes, Biggar thought that they had secured the win with an excellent catch and drive from a 5m lineout. With secure front ball at the front of the lineout, they drove over the line and touched down with about 5 Biggar players on top of the ball. However, the referee advised that he could not see the ball and disallowed the try. With the Colts still annoyed at this decision, Haddington scored in the final minute to win the game.

Biggar Colts Report 26th November

Biggar 0        Boroughmuir 7

On a very wet and windy Showfield, the Colts lost narrowly to Boroughmuir in what was effectively the league decider.In a very even game, neither team gained any sort of superiority in any area throughout the game. As expected, it was a forward dominated game with the scrums being even, Boroughmuir on top at lineouts and Biggar on top at the driving rucks and mauls. Boroughmuirs score came midway through the second half when a forward broke through the middle of a ruck - the only time that the Biggar defence was posted missing.

The Colts can be proud of the display as they have continued to progress through the season and contest all game with all of the main Edinburgh teams. Their final league game is next week at Haddington and a win will place them 3rd in the league.

Biggar Colts Report 19th November

Biggar   34  Edinburgh BATS   5 

Edinburgh BATS turned up with no front row, so the entire game was played with uncontested scrums; the Colts pack were disappointed as they believed that they would have been able to dominate this area. Graham Jamieson returned to the wing and opened up his account within two minutes of the start. Good pressure on BATS in their own 22 resulted in turnover ball from a good ruck which was passed through the hands for Graham to score in the corner. The second try came shortly after some good offloading out of tackles before the last pass to Danny Began to score in the corner. Biggar continued to pressurize BATS in their own half and a loose pass was picked up by Graham Jamieson on the 22 and then run in for a simple try which Craig McDonald converted. The final score of the half came from a tap penalty on the 22 which was driven into the heart of the BATS defence. From the ruck the ball was popped to the blind side for Stephen Campbell to crash over from five metres to give Biggar a 22-0 lead at half time.

Biggar started strongly again and with a move started in their own half with good running angles and offloads the ball eventually got to Andrew Fleming to score in the corner. Unfortunately with the game won, it became very loose and fragmented, with both sides infringing leading to a very stop/start period. With five minutes to go, Biggar set up set driving rucks to take them to within five meters of the line. The final pick up was by Gavin Parker who dived over the line to score, the try was converted by Graham Jamieson. Although the defence had been good throughout, a breakaway by BATS in the final minute allowed them to get a score on the board.

The team was delighted to see Alexander Lyon back on the pitch for his first run out since picking up a knee injury in the preseason games.

Coaches Meeting 28th November

This is just a reminder for all Youth Coaches. Please check your emails in respect of season plans and lets move forward to a succesfull New Year.

At least one representative from each age group would be fantastic

Andy Tither   Rugby Development Officer Biggar RFC coaching@vikingrugby.co.uk 07898 800911

Colts Report 29th October 2011

Musselburgh    27                Biggar    15

The Colts have moved into the Top Tier of the Edinburgh U18 League along with Boroughmuir, BATS, Haddington, Musselburgh and Preston Lodge. The top team from these six will be the Edinburgh Champions and the top four teams will qualify for the National Cup. So it was a disappointing start to the campaign with an away defeat to Musselburgh, especially when they had the opportunity to win the game. Overall, Biggar had more possession and territory, but could not convert this advantage into points, whilst Musselburgh were very good on the counter attack.

Biggar opened the scoring after 10 minutes, following some good work by the forwards to present good ball which was fed out to Mark Bertram who handed off two tacklers then sprinted past the cover defence for an excellent score. Musselburgh responded within 4 minutes with a simple counter attack with quick ball out the backline.

Another facet of the Musselburgh game is the constant infringing trying to delay or kill quick ball, this resulted in one of their players being yellow carded, but during the 10 minute period Biggar could not make the man advantage pay. However, as soon as he returned, Biggar scored two tries in quick succession. The first cam from a penalty on the 22 for offside. A quick tap by Danny McGinn was quickly feed through the hands to Danny Began to score out in the corner. From the restart James Simpson gathered the ball and with a great run got to the half way where he offloaded to Robbie Swann who thundered up the pitch and through some tacklers for a superb score. Musselburgh countered with two relatively soft tries (poor marking and tackling by Biggar) to level the score at half time.

Musselburgh opened up a lead in the second half with two further tries, then Biggar mounted a sustained attack for almost 20 minutes inside the Musselburgh 22, but could not cross the line. The same Musselburgh player was yellow carded again for infringing and this time was sent off. However with almost 7 minutes of normal time still to play the referee blew for full time much to the amazement of of players and coaches of both teams, therefore Biggar lost the opportunity to press home their man advantage. On a very blustery day, no tries were converted.

Colts Report 8th October 2011

Biggar 64            Forrester/Murrayfield Wanderers 0

The Colts went on a 12 try spree on very wet afternoon at the Showfield. Despite the conditions the boys played a fast and expansive game with the ball being played through the hands and out the backline at every opportunity. This was often after the forwards had delivered good clean ball either from scrum, linout, ruck or maul. It is a testament to the skill and pace of the whole team that no fewer than 9 players got their name on the score sheet - this is a team that plays 15 man rugby that is a pleasure to watch.

The try scorers were Steven Campbell, Peter Millar (2), Callum Whyte, Andrew Fleming (2), Robbie Swan, Fraser Howland, Mark Bertram (2), Hamish Wallace, and Jamie Orr. There were only two conversions, one each from Craig McDonald and Andrew Fleming. This will secures the Colts position in the top 3 of their league and they will progress into the top league after the split this week.
 

Biggar 41 Currie 21

The Colts had an excellent win at home against local rivals Currie on Saturday. Right from the kick off they put pressure on Currie and after 5 minutes scored the first try of the game. Danny McGinn put good pressure on the Currie scrum half at the base of the scrum and when he fumbled, Fraser Howland picked up the loose ball to drive over through the defence from 10m out (his first try for the club).
The second came from a great line break by Andrew Fleming and an inside pass to the supporting Mark Bertram who scored under the posts. With a couple of minutes to half time, a Currie clearance kick failed to make touch, winger Adam Richardson collected the ball and made a good break up the wing before passing to Mark Bertram who beat two defenders for his second try of the game. Currie responded with a try just on the stroke of halftime. Craig McDonald converted all three tries to give Biggar a 21-7 lead at half time.
In complete contrast to the fist half, Biggar made a slow start and seemed to lose their shape for the first 15 minutes of the second half. Currie scored after 10 minutes to take the score to 21-14. However, the Colts then hit a purple patch with 3 tries in about 7 minutes. The first came after a series of pick and goes by the forwards before the final one was taken over the line by Paul Davidson. The second came from a good line out take and drive 5m from the Currie line with Jamie Orr claiming the touch down. The third came from a No 8 pick and go, 20m out from the line, by Robbie Swann who beat two or three defenders for a fine individual try.
With 5 minutes to go, a small fracas kicked off after one of the Colts was spear tackled by a Currie defender. Whilst this was ongoing the ball was fed out to Danny Began who had a simple run in as all the Currie backs, other than the full back, had joined in the fracas. As happened in the first half, Currie ended with a converted try.