Biggar grab the glory on opening day

Dumfries Saints ......... 5 Biggar ...................... 17

Biggar picked up a good win at Dumfries Saints in their Tennent’s National League 2 opener.

However, despite having the crowd enthralled until the final whistle, it’s a game that won’t be remembered as a spectacle.

That Biggar ultimately triumphed by two tries to one was probably fair, given the territory and possession they had.

Careless penalties conceded cost Saints, none more so than when one was advanced by 10 metres in the last 10 minutes, giving Conor Lavery a much easier shot at goal, which provided the final 17-5 scoreline.

Biggar’s sustained early pressure resulted in their first try with Lavery moving right off ruck ball and finding Rowan Stewart with a deft pop pass.

He ran through the defence for the touchdown which Lavery converted.

However, Jack Johnstone cleared for Saints, Iain Renwick missed the bouncing ball and it fell into the path of the Dumfries breakout to cross the whitewash, reducing the deficit to 7-5.

The second half started with a yellow card for Biggar lock Franco Carossi, but despite pressure, Saints were unable to capitalise on the extra man.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, a good move down the left saw James Barr take Gregor Stewart’s pass to score in the corner, with Lavery converting despite the acute angle.