Rugby: Biggar defeated by Edinburgh Accies

Sep 2 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

BIGGAR managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in their Scottish Hydro Premier 2 encounter with Edinburgh Accies at Raeburn Place.

The visitors led 18-7 at half-time through two penalties and two tries as they dominated but crumbled as Accies replied with five unanswered tries in the second period.

Biggar started with just one change from last Saturday’s team as Murray Thomson opened at centre in place of Michael McKeand.

The visitors began well and with 10 minutes found themselves 6-0 ahead, courtesy of two well-struck Craig Parker penalties.

An excellent Richard Peacock counter from a wayward Accies tap-and-run preceded the next score, which saw Scott Cameron burst from midfield.

A turnover by Accies then led to a handling error, allowing Jason Kelly to gather, make ground and off-load to Kevin Anderson to crash over. Parker converted for 13-0 with just 15 minutes played.

Accies did threaten at this point but handling errors saw them come up short on a few occasions.

Following some periods of good running rugby, Parker had the chance to stretch Biggar’s lead but pulled a penalty attempt wide.

Another handling error gave Biggar another chance, however, and on this occasion loose ball was tapped back by Conor Lavery to Parker at full-back and, with Accies committed to their attack, he exploited the gap to spring clear and ground the ball for an 18-0 advantage, although he was unable to convert.

The restart kick downfield was returned via hands by Accies to the Biggar 22 and although touch judge Cummings indicated that time was up, the hosts were awarded a penalty.

Able only to keep play alive, Accies opted for the scrum and Biggar conceded three successive penalties which saw ball moved wide to Gavin Douglas to score, with Stuart Evans converting for 18-7.

Whatever was said by Accies coach Simon Cross at half-time worked as the hosts staged a monumental fightback.

A high tackle by Simeon James was spotted but advantage was signalled. When play was then brought back, to everyone’s amazement Lavery was sin-binned for the tackle!

From the scrum restart, the referee then decided that Biggar had dropped the scrum and awarded a penalty try, which Evans converted to pull Accies back into a 18-14 deficit.

Biggar’s frustration grew as a great move involving James, Salo Tutaia and Michael Rutherford took play deep into the Accies 22 and, although the touch judge called for a Biggar penalty, play was allowed to continue and Accies cleared downfield.

Edinburgh got their noses in front for the first time shortly afterwards when a loose punt downfield led to former Biggar star Ian Berthinussen scoring.

Although Evans failed with the conversion, Accies led 19-18.

Lavery returned to action but where Biggar had managed to convert their chances in the first half Accies were now able to stifle their attacks.

Accies were gaining the upper hand and Biggar were given further problems when first Rutherford was forced off the field with a head knock, with Andrew Peacock replacing him, and Kelly was sin-binned for swinging an arm.

A bit of back-chat saw Biggar penalised further with a try and conversion stretching Accies’ lead to 26-18.

Douglas Notman was next to depart with a back injury, with Charles Cochrane his replacement, before David McArthur was pitched in for Ruaridh McLatchie.

With their heads up and penalties awarded against Biggar at regular intervals, Accies were on the ascendancy and captain Dan Teague crossed for a try before Kenny Blyth completed the scoring, with Evans converting.

Biggar will hope to regroup for their home clash against Stewart’s Melville FP on Saturday.