Down – but with a fight

Biggleswade Rugby Club's last game in Midlands Four East (South) for at least a season ended in a narrow defeat.

There was just pride at stake in their last league match as they went down narrowly 17-15 at Oadby Wyggestonians.

Biggleswade almost pulled off an unlikely victory but failed to turn pressure into points.

Unless the rumoured rearrangement of the leagues actually happens, Biggleswade were already certain of relegation.

But they were not simply going down without a fight.

The strong cross-wind made conditions for kicking and passing difficult so there were some howling errors by both sides.

Biggleswade exerted all the early demands on the Oadby defence and were rewarded with a successful Mark Rastrick penalty.

Oadby came back strongly and after a fine kick into the corner scored a try from a rolling maul.

With another try added before the break Biggleswade were 12-3 behind.

In Ross Taylor's last game as club captain for the time being, Biggleswade started the second half like a team possessed.

It was not long before the pressure told with the ball spun down the line for a try by centre Matt Keen.

Rastrick added the conversion to bring up his personal 100 for the season.

Just two points down, Biggleswade came back strongly with another driving maul and a second try for Keen when the defence were dragged in.

But the lead was shortlived as Oadby scored another try under the posts.

With the kick dragged wide by the strong gale, Biggleswade were still in with a sniff of victory as they trailed by just two.

Biggleswade strived hard but they could just not get over the line for the crucial score.

* Stratton Upper School under-14s are shown celebrating (above) winning the Bedfordshire Schools' County Cup.

They beat Cedars of Leighton Buzzard 16-5 in the final.