Under-16s played a top-class game

Nov 20 2008 by George Topp, Lanark & Carluke

THIS week’s under-16 game against Livingston saw Biggar RFC boys start slowly.

They were also quickly penalised for being slow to roll away from the ball after a tackle, gifting Livingston an easy three penalty points.

However, this stirred Biggar into action and they then played some of the best rugby of the season.

The support play was good as when Euan Sanderson efficiently drove over what should have been a Livingston ball, to allow his three quarters to attack and finally pass to Chris Mulligan at no. 8 to touch down for his third try.

Ben Montgomery also shook off two tackles to run though the defence to score under the posts.

The game ended Livingston 6, Biggar 25.

Try scorers – Chris Mulligan (3), Angus Thomson, Ben Montgomery. Man of the match – Chris Mulligan.

Team: Alistair Scott, Angus Thomson, Ben Montgomery, Chris Mulligan, Danny McGinn, Euan Sanderson, George Porter, Harry Thurdow, James Jackson, James Simpson, John Muir, Jonathan Huntley, Michael Roser, Ross Hendrie, Ross Pahnke.

Eleven Biggar girls, aged between 12 and 18 years, travelled to Perth for a tournament featuring teams representing clubs from every 'airt'.

Many clubs were unable to field a full ten-a-side team and teams representing more than one club took to the field.

In the under-15 age group, Biggar were teamed with Borders side Gala. This squad proved to be one of the strongest sides present, and, after a close game against Monklands/Northern Vixens which ended in 1-1 draw, the girls won all their remaining five games, finishing the tournament in joint first place with Monklands/Vixens.

At under-18 level, the four Biggar girls teamed up with players from Oban and Northern Vixens, and won the Fair Play award.

This Sunday the girls have an under-18 cup tie against Gala. Biggar have a very enthusiastic squad, but would welcome any girls interested in taking the game up.

The Minis took to Sunday's training session with renewed vigour and everyone put in a great effort prior to the games this weekend at Hartreemill.

The visitors on Sunday are Heriot's and West of Scotland and each club are bringing around 60 players across the P4 to P7 age groups. Kick-off is scheduled for 11am and Biggar players are asked to be at the clubhouse no later than 10.15am.

The New Image group, meantime, will continue coaching and training sessions. Starting time is the usual 11am and with Biggar's 1st XV coach, Ants, coming along as a guest coach for the P1s, P2s and P3s they can look out for "something different".

The Mini Section is having a Give Rugby a Try session on Sunday, November 30. All current players are being asked to bring along a friend (or more) to try rugby on the day. Ants and Hani, Biggar's development team, will also be approaching local primary schools and encouraging pupils to come along and build on the tag rugby skills they were taught previously. The Mini session commences at 11am and will be followed by a similar event from the girls' team. This starts at 1pm. Both sessions will take place at Hartreemill.

The over-35's dinner takes place on November 28 at 7pm for 7.30pm. Those interested should phone GY or Rab Ramsay for tickets (£20 per head).

Last year the senior players and members took part in the November charity event to raise funds for Macmillan Nurses. Basically, this means that participants grow a beard/moustache in November. A magnificent total in excess of £2000 was raised last year and because of this, and also because the participants had so much fun, the experiment is to be repeated. This year participants are being asked to grow a 'handlebar' moustache with CHAS the main recipient of the money raised.

This weekend’s fixtures are:

Friday: 1st XV v Gala : Scottish Hydro Premier Division 2 : Netherdale KO 7.30pm.

Saturday : Colts v Murrayfield Wanderers EDU U-18 league Hartreemill 2pm.

Sunday: New Image training 11am.

Mini P4, 5, 6 and 7 v Heriots and West of Scotland KO 11am.

Midi S1 tbc : S2 v Stewartry - Hartreemill.

U-15 tbc : U-16 v Portobello - Hartreemill.