IT S a long way from Biggleswade to Rome. But a bit of local sporting history was written many miles away in the Italian capital when two former Biggleswade mini and youth players represented their country on Friday. Charlie Beech and Simon Pitfield ran o

IT'S a long way from Biggleswade to Rome.

But a bit of local sporting history was written many miles away in the Italian capital when two former Biggleswade mini and youth players represented their country on Friday.

Charlie Beech and Simon Pitfield ran out for England under-19s in their clash with Italy in the Six Nations championship.

The pair were both named on the bench for the game at Stadio Delle Tre Fontane, which England won 34-26.

Both the former Biggy players were called upon.

The pair now play their rugby at Northampton Saints, with Charlie making his first team debut in the European Challenge Cup earlier this season against another Italian team, Viadana.

Rome has become a firm favourite with rugby fans and many who made the trip also watched the England youngsters in action.

Beech and Pitfield both came through the highly successful Biggleswade mini and youth system, with Charlie starting playing at the age of eight before moving on to Northampton.

Biggleswade have strong links with Saints through their elite player development centre and are hoping to develop these links even further.

* Biggleswade's senior side lost again in the Midlands Four East (South), going down 10-3 at Newtonians.

It was another disappointing result with only a converted try in the first few moments separating the sides.

For 75 minutes, the game was even as Biggleswade battled to save their place in the league.

Newtonians, one place above in the table, struck while Biggleswade were still getting the long journey to Leicester out of their system.

Despite heroic efforts, the visitors were unable to break their try-scoring drought that goes right back to early December.

Earlier in the season, Biggleswade got into a habit of conceding soft tries that has made their overall points difference tally a considerable deficit.

But this game on a wide pitch with plenty of space to cover saw a disciplined, gritty performance.

Typical of many defensive tackles was one by youngster Taig Norman. He scythed down a Newtonians player at the knees despite being several stones lighter than the attacking forward.

But all the side did their bit with the back row of Sam Brocklesby, Karl Marshall and James Bakewell putting in an immense amount of work to disrupt the home side's flow.

Mark Rastrick kicked Biggleswade's only points with a monster penalty from just inside the half.

This Saturday, Biggleswade are at home against bottom of the table Stoneygate. The visitors have conceded nearly 500 points and are without a win from their 13 matches so Biggleswade must start as favourites.