Third XV Match Reports

6/3/10

Biggar 3rds 0 Murrayfield Wanderers 29

The visiting side arrived from Edinburgh on a massive coach with a 22 strong squad, several committee men and a handful of supporters. Having warmed up for some 50 minutes prior to kick off they must have been somewhat non-plussed as Biggar’s ‘elite’ rolled up with some 10 minutes to go prior to kick off to get changed pitch-side and then to get their photograph taken (reason behind this will follow!).

Biggar had 17 players, 3 supporters and the obligatory dog (courtesy of stand-off Denis Lavery) and was a ‘real’ 3rd XV bar the inclusion to make up the numbers of 2 2nd XV players John Hislop and Andrew Howatson (thanks guys).

Try as they could Biggar could not find a way through the visiting defence and with a handful of French students in their side (Gala, who were critical of the number of Kiwis in the Biggar ranks, please take note), the city side managed a breakaway score in the first half.

Changes were made at half time to the Biggar XV but these were largely inconsequential, the ‘impact’ of Stewart and Young coming about 20 years too late! Harrison did make a telling contribution when he arrived and credit to Ireland for his enthusiasm and encouragement, but the youth of the M/Wanderers squad (which was clearly augmented by players from their 1st and 2nd XV squads whose games had been cancelled), allowed the visitors to maintain their hold on the game and to run in 4 further and unanswered scores.

Murrayfield Wanderers therefore hold on to their top spot in the East Division 3 Reserve league.

The photo? Well, it was to mark the inclusion in the Biggar squad of Messers Ramsay, Stewart and Young who played in Biggars first ever 1st XV match in 1975. This latest appearance, coincidentally taking place at The Showfield where that inaugural game took place, represents therefore, the trios involvement over what is now 5 decades of rugby……some would say time to give up, and they’re probably right, but hey ho its all good fun! Lavery, of course, was the other 50+ player in the squad, although even with a damaged shoulder and a sore head courtesy of captain Ireland, he still looked to be one of the fittest on the pitch!

Thanks to John Jackson who earned the dubious distinction of being referee on the day.

5/12/09

Biggar 3rds 14 Linlithgow 29

In all truth Biggar should  be awarded the points for this fixture (and may well yet claim them), as visitors Linlithgow arrived short-handed and played at full strength due to the courtesy of Biggar man David Robertson who played for them.

A good game ensued although Biggar ran out of steam toward the end, the two scheduled training sessions back in October clearly insufficuient to turn these athletes into the match fit combatants that they dreamily wish they could resemble.

William Steek scored for Biggar although credit to winger turned prop Andrew Kilgour whose well-times off-load gave Steel the easy task of running over for the try. James Drife secured the second score, but Linlithgow proved too strong and ran out deserved winners in the end.

The 3rds are at hoke to Currie this weekend and GY is keen to get as striong a side out as he can in view of the current ability of the Currie side. Names please to GY by Wednesday (please reply to his text messages!!).

13/11/09

Murrayfield Wanderers 3rds 34 Biggar 3rds 10

With M/Wands unable to get use of their pitches on Saturday because of the international, this game was played on Friday evening under floodlights.

Biggar had a magnificent turnout with no fewer than 23 players available, which must be some sort of record. That said things did not go their way as they were faced by a very competitive XV, stuffed full of 2nd XV players.

The Edinburgh outfit stormed through the first half scoring 29 points in the process and while Biggar came back into things after the break to 'win' the half by 10-5, Wanderers still had a big enough cushion to win the game and take the points.

Biggar scored two tries these going to Nigel Thomson (his first ever score and congratulations on that) and 'trialest' Ants Posa

7/11/09

Biggar 3rds 53 Inverleith 10

The 3rd XV had a very encouraging win over Edinburgh side Inverleith. As pleasing as the result was the fact that there were 18 players available! For the record points came from David Galloway (2), David Robertson, Willie Steel, Malcolm Bruce, Andrew Howatson (2), Ross Halley and Jamie Anderson (who was playing his first game for Biggar for 12 years).

Bruce and Howatson kicked 2 conversions each. 

30/10/09

Ross High 14 Biggar 3rds 12

This game was played on Friday evening and featured among others Biggar coach Ants Posa. His influence was not sufficient to win the game however, High just shading the game at 14-12.

24/10/09

Watsonians 26 Biggar 29

Biggar's 3rd string travelled to Watsonians on Saturday and had one of their best results for many a year by defeating the Edinburgh side by 29-26.

This was a fantastic result for all concerned (though the Edinburgh XV were less than enamoured by the score) and confirms the belief that the side has a great deal of potential with several of their number quite capable of playing 2nd XV rugby if they could be persuaded to commit.

For the record the points came from tries by Rab Ramsay, David Robertson, John Taylor, James Drife and Malcolm Bruce who was a huge influence at stand off and who also kicked 2 conversions.

The league has undergone some re-organisation since the season began and so a home game beckons this week, but in recognition of the enormity of the result, Monday's training was cancelled!

3/10/09

Preston Lodge 3rds 0 Biggar 3rds 39

The 3rd XV made the most of their Monday evening training session and helped record a hat-trick of positive results for the senior Biggar teams as they took the points from bottom of the table PL on Saturday.

This was a very good win and one that should be viewed as a catalyst for others such is the potential within the squad.

Points from tries credited to Ian Baillie (2), Andrew Barrie, David Robertson, David Rosenveld, John Taylor and David Ireland. Baillie also kicked 2 conversions.

All prospective 3rd team players are reminded of training on Monday evenings 7-8pm (ish!). The first session was an excellent run about although the live tackling session was s surprise to most!