Bedford Queens 12 Biggleswade 8 Bedfordshire Cup, quarter-final These days Biggleswade are a pale shadow of the side that won the county cup in 1991. But after a heavy defeat in the league earlier in the season against the same opposition, they did well

Bedford Queens 12 Biggleswade 8

Bedfordshire Cup, quarter-final

These days Biggleswade are a pale shadow of the side that won the county cup in 1991.

But after a heavy defeat in the league earlier in the season against the same opposition, they did well to come so close in this cup tie.

With six players missing from the previous week mainly in the forwards there were also positional changes.

Adam Sewell, a centre last week, played in the back row. Perhaps that is why finding himself in the middle of the field on the edge of the 22, he dropped a goal to open the scoring.

In the early stages Biggleswade were all over Queens and it was no surprise when they went further ahead with a try from Matt Smith.

It was the first try Biggleswade had scored in 2008.

But the home side got back in the game with a couple of tries. A strong Queens forward was too powerful for some weak tackling for the first score that was converted. The second followed soon after in similar style.

The second half was scoreless despite a period of pressure from both sides that was stoutly defended.

Young Shane McNeill cut down opposition players twice his size with some impressive tackling.

Gene Bunting-Grey on the other wing watched by a proud father looked dangerous with ball in hand.

As the clock ticked down, Biggleswade made one last desperate effort to get the winning score with a driving maul. But although shunting the opposition pack back many a mile, it was just not enough.

Biggleswade return to league action with an away trip to Oundle this Saturday. The home tie was an 11-11 draw.