Biggar complete build-up with good win

Aug 27 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

BIGGAR rounded off their pre-season programme with a convincing win over Premier 3 side Falkirk on Saturday.

Biggar opened the scoring after three minutes through a Douglas Notman penalty but Falkirk quickly levelled with an award of their own.

The visitors then scored a converted try for a 10-3 lead.

Biggar enjoyed the bulk of territory and possession but found it difficult to break Falkirk down.

Sam Muir scored Biggar’s first try after 15 minutes, but this wasn’t converted, leaving Falkirk 10-8 ahead at the interval.

Biggar would have added a second try shortly after the restart but for a dropped ball after a good move involving Notman and Browning.

But the score was only delayed as Muir set up Grant Owens who crashed over, with Notman converting for 15-10.

Michael Rutherford aggravated an ankle injury at this point, and hooker duties were taken by Kevin Anderson.

Coach Ants Posa made changes at this point with Alan Warnock, Kelly and Bob Aitken making way for the Gibson twins and Colin Yuille who, after a number of years way from the game, has impressed in training.

Kelly quickly found himself back on, however, when lock Fraley Hopa was forced off with a head knock, and it was the No.8 who scored next as he rounded off a move begun after Biggar won a midfield turnover.

Another quickly-taken penalty by scrum-half Davy Reive saw James score next, with Notman converting that and the next try, which was somewhat fortuitous.

Falkirk’s drop-out restart failed to go the required 10 metres and was initially hacked forward by one of their pack but the ball rebounded off Andrew Cairns and into the hands of Scott Cameron, who set off through a bewildered Falkirk pack. Although he was stopped short, Cameron off-loaded to Cairns, who crossed for the try.

James scored his second of the afternoon before Kelly repeated the feat, this after a neat chip-and-chase to beat the defence.

Coach Ants Posa seemed content with the performance and the superior fitness levels displayed by Biggar, who have been training three times a week.

Next Saturday’s game will be a far stronger test as Biggar kick-off their Scottish Hydro Premier 2 campaign with the visit of newly-promoted Dunfermline. Kick-off is at 3pm.

l Biggar’s 2nd XV defeated their Falkirk counterparts 67-5.