Brackley 32 Biggleswade 3 Midlands Four East (South) After last week s narrow defeat to Copsewood in the senior vase, Saturday s first league game was a much harder encounter. Newly promoted Brackley were full of confidence but Biggleswade defended well

Brackley 32 Biggleswade 3

Midlands Four East (South)

After last week's narrow defeat to Copsewood in the senior vase, Saturday's first league game was a much harder encounter.

Newly promoted Brackley were full of confidence but Biggleswade defended well until the last quarter of the match.

Biggleswade were forced to reshuffle their side after late drop-outs. Getting a settled side with so many injuries, weddings and work commitments is proving a headache for skipper Mark Rastrick.

Playing up the slope and against the wind in the first half on a warm afternoon, Biggleswade camped in Brackley's half for the first quarter of an hour but got no points on the board.

They had good control in the lineout and the scrums were tight.

Once again young full-back Mark Smith was forced to leave the field. He made one stunning catch at full tilt but in the follow up tackle badly twisted his knee and limped off.

This caused Biggleswade to make further changes.

When Brackley broke free good opportunities were missed as Biggleswade - with Ross Taylor much to the fore - rattled them into making mistakes. Eventually though after 30 minutes Brackley took the lead with a converted try.

Biggleswade started the second half like the first and took the game deep into Brackley's 22. But when nothing came from the attacks, Brackley scored at the other end.

As control in the lineout evaporated and the pack wilted, Brackley took control running in three more tries.

Biggleswade's only response was a Rastrick penalty.

This Saturday Biggleswade travel to Rushden and Higham.