Old Newtonians 13 Biggleswade 12 Midlands Four East (South) Biggleswade dominated this league match except for a poor first quarter and were disappointed to lose by the narrowest of margins. The run of defeats by the Leicester side continued but there we

Old Newtonians 13 Biggleswade 12

Midlands Four East (South)

Biggleswade dominated this league match except for a poor first quarter and were disappointed to lose by the narrowest of margins.

The run of defeats by the Leicester side continued but there were sufficient plus points in this match to suggest it will be a different story in the return tie.

Once again Biggleswade had to reshuffle their side with late drop-outs so they were not at full strength.

Then when they were still getting the journey out of the system, Biggy were rocked by two tries in quick succession with a lack of effective tackling clearly exploited.

Ten points down and up the slope Biggleswade worked hard to get back on level terms. Scrum-half Ross Taylor was again a livewire linking well with Matt Keen at fly-half. A chip over the top just eluded the stand-off as it bounced the wrong way near the corner.

As the teams started the second half the heavens opened and there was a 20-minute deluge. Undaunted, the Biggleswade pack took control and after shunting Newts back at a scrum rolled over the try line at an ensuing maul. The irrepressible Ian Flack was at the bottom of the pile and claimed the try.

This method of attack almost worked again on the other side of the pitch.

As the Newts were being trundled back on the now greasy surface they tried all manner of dirty tricks to slow the progress of the Biggleswade juggernaut.

So it was no surprise when the referee awarded a penalty try under the posts.

Mark Rastrick added the two points for the conversion.

In between the two tries Newts added a penalty to their tally after the Biggleswade backs were caught offside. Biggy needed any score in the final 10 minutes to clinch the victory but could just not quite do it.

A pool fixture this weekend is followed by a home league match against the current league leaders Vipers.