Biggar rugby club win

Aug 19 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

PREMIER 3 side Cartha Queen’s Park provided Biggar Rugby Club with their third and final warm-up game prior to the start of the Premier 2 season on Saturday.

Coming fast on the heels of last Saturday’s games against East Kilbride and Dalziel, Cartha proved to be a challenging unit up front.

However, Biggar were more focused and in control than they were last week and ran out comfortable winners.

With 10 tries scored and Craig Parker kicking all but one of his conversion attempts – and Doug Notman missing the last with a hastily-taken drop-goal – it was pretty much one-way traffic for Biggar.

Salo Tutia scored his debut try from a driven lineout off ball taken by Andrew Cairns, and an excellent piece of offensive defending from Conor Lavery, who tackled and turned ball over, paving the way for Simeon James to grab the second try.

The third score came just short of the half-hour mark and saw Scott Cameron take a pass from Lavery to cross untouched.

A rehearsed move from an attacking scrum saw James score his second try, the centre crossing without a hand being laid on him.

After the interval Tutia notched his second try, the scoring pass coming from Murray Thomson, although Colin Arthur played his part with a ‘dunt’ in a ruck dislodging the ball.

Ex-Colt and club SVQ Andrew Muir scored the next try, and after a turnover gave possession back to Biggar Grant Owens outstripped the defence to score.

Final try of the game went to Chris McKeand.

Of the 21 squad members eight were Colts players who have made the step up to senior rugby in the last three years.

Aside from New Zealanders Kev Anderson and Craig Parker, all the other players were brought through the club’s youth set-up, which is a great advert and example for local youngsters, and Biggar’s policy on player development.

Biggar are gearing up for Saturday’s Scottish Hydro Premier 2 opener against Hillhead/Jordanhill at Hartreemill, which kicks-off at 3pm.

There will be a members’ lunch at the club at 1pm on Saturday, at £10 for members and £15 for non-members.

Platinum members can use their free luncheon vouchers if they wish to attend.

Mini and midi training has resumed and will continue at Hartreemill on Sundays from 11am.

S1, S2, Under-15 and Under-16 groups will train on Sundays from 11am, but they will also train on Wednesday from 7pm-8.30pm approximately.

The S2 group will train on Monday evenings as well until the Under-15 and Under-16 Lanarkshire Lions sessions end in a fortnight.