Biggleswade 10 Brackley 41 Midlands Four East (South) Biggleswade, once again weakened by late drop-outs, slumped to another league defeat. They did manage two tries but the visitors ran in six on an afternoon ideal for rugby. The BBC Look East cameras we

Biggleswade 10 Brackley 41

Midlands Four East (South)

Biggleswade, once again weakened by late drop-outs, slumped to another league defeat.

They did manage two tries but the visitors ran in six on an afternoon ideal for rugby.

The BBC Look East cameras were present at the game but not to record the match.

Their focus of attention was the female referee set to make her international debut later in the season.

The shortage of three-quarters was so acute that hooker Darryl Rogers had to play at scrum-half. He had to throw in at the lineout and then run round and take the tap down!

Prop James Caulfield replaced Rogers in the front row. These changes did not help the pack that was under constant pressure in the scrums.

Biggleswade were under pressure right from the start and forced to make one tackle after another. It was no surprise when just one missed attempt led to an opening score for the visitors.

But Biggleswade immediately hit back. The ball was recycled several times before Mark Rastrick scythed in under the posts.

Brackley stretched their lead with a couple of tries including one on the stroke of half-time.

After the break Biggleswade continued to compete for much of the time, adding a second try when the old warhorse Peter Shea went over from three yards after a forward drive.

After Saturday's friendly away at St Ives, there are the final two league matches on Saturdays either side of Easter - Stockwood Park (away) and Oadby-Wyggestonians (home).