Depleted Biggar crash out

Burgh side progress in cup

A number of injuries and work commitments saw a depleted Biggar crash out of the National League Cup first round against National League 1 side Musselburgh at Stoneyhill.

It was a tough match for the young side, who managed to run in two tries through Conor Lavery and Mathew Stewart, but to no avail against a strong team.

Musselburgh attacked from kick-off and Martin Cimprinch and Rory Watt combined before Biggar were caught offside and Danny Owenson split the uprights for a 3-0 lead after two minutes.

Several phases of play then stretched the Biggar defence, with Cimprinch combining well with James Ferguson and William Fleming before the latter found Graeme Bowman, who went in under the posts, with Owenson adding the extras for 10-0 after six minutes.

An Owenson penalty further stretched Musselburgh’s lead, and in 21 minutes Watt put Kyle Mcghie in for a try, which Owenson converted for 20-0.

This was quickly followed by a wellworked try by Declan Slaven in the corner, for 25-0 in 26 minutes.

Handling errors at this point prevented Biggar from making an impact in the game, and handed the momentum back to Musselburgh. From a line-out, close to the line, Ross Gregor found Slaven and a maul saw Colin Arthur go down over the line to score their fourth try, with Owenson’s conversion taking the interval score to 32-0.

Biggar upped their game in the second half and came at Musselburgh, but the

Musselburgh ...53 Biggar .............. 14

National League Cup first round home defence stood firm.

Just as it looked like the visitors might go over for their first score, Cimprinch intercepted a pass in the home 22 and ran in for a solo try, which Owenson converted for a 39-0 lead in 41 minutes.

Biggar did get on the score-sheet in 45 minutes when Matthew Stewart crashed over, with Conor Lavery converting for 39-7.

Biggar were striving to keep Musselburgh at bay, but their penalty count was again creeping up when they were again pinged at the scrum, right on the line, which was taken quickly by Luke Hutson, who caught the defence napping to score at the side of the post, giving Owenson an easy conversion and the hosts a 46-7 lead, heading in to the last quarter of the game.

For the next 10 minutes Biggar were pinned back in their 22 as Musselburgh pushed for a further score.

Graeme Mckinstry gathered from a lineout and Fleming tried to make inroads only to be stopped short.

From the resultant ruck, Mcghie picked out Ronan Stott, who found Fleming and he went in at the corner for Musselburgh’s seventh try, with Owenson making the difficult conversion for 53-7 with 70 minutes on the clock.

Biggar were determined to get a further score on the board, and Lavery managed that, converting his own try.