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You are here: Match Reports / 1st XV / Biggar 23rd March 2007

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“ HILLS TRIUMPH IN SIX TRY THRILLER”

HILLHEAD JORDANHILL 28pts BIGGAR 13pts

On a warm, early spring day. “Hills” and Biggar combined to provide a game of high pace
and intensity which saw the visitors race into an early ten point lead, but then contest a
courageous fight back from their opponents, culminating in a victory for the “Hills” by one
goal, three tries and two penalty goals to two tries and one penalty. There were few
present, however, after watching the first 15 minutes who would have waged any money
on Biggar not returning home with full points. Certainly, the hosts had been generous in
firstly providing turnover ball for Kirisome to charge through the midfield, selling an
outrageous dummy to power to the line; and then passing direct to the visitor’s stand off.
Thomson, who with quick passing released Parker to charge 75 metres unopposed to the
line. Fortunately, home stand-off McCulloch managed to convert a penalty chance to
allow “Hills” to open the scoring, but Parker soon replied to keep the margin at 10 points
approaching the end of the first quarter. It was noticeable, however, that Sam Muir at
scrum half for the “Hills” was causing the opponents some considerable difficulty, and
there was a feeling that should the home pack begin to achieve parity in the frontal
exchanges, the gaps would come.

The game lacked nothing in excitement and pace with both stand–offs willing to spin the
ball at every opportunity. From one attacking ruck on the Biggar 10 metre line, “Hills”
moved the ball quickly left for Muir to allow Mitchell to have a run. The move was halted
some 10 metres short, but the ubiquitous Muir was up quickly to provide the feed for Stuart
Ross to surge through to the line. The kick failed and “Hills” were now in the game. It was
clear, also, that the “Hills” pack after sustaining ferocious Biggar scrummage pressure
early in the game were now more able to meet the frontal challenges. More attacking in
the visitors twenty two produced a short range line out from which the home pack mauled
their way over the line, driving Jeff Wright in for the score. The conversion was successful,
and the home supporters in the crowd, previously subdued, began to make themselves
heard. More attacking play led to another series of close range attacks with once again
Jeff Wright at the centre of the driving play which resulted in his being forced across the
line again. The conversion was missed but “Hills” were now one score ahead with half
time approaching, and, significantly, Biggar had a man “carded” due to his impeding a
quickly taken penalty.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Biggar did not fade away, and contested every first
and second phase fiercely, and all “Hills” had to show for the third quarter’s endeavours
was a McCulloch penalty goal. At the beginning of the final quarter, “Hills” seemed to
have several chances to score and should have done when David Frame was through with
Mitchell and Wright in support but heroic Biggar defence kept them out. But the fourth try
– “Hills” first try bonus in 21 no. league games - was not to be denied when the
irrepressible Muir found Marty Lane running free on the left wing for the “Fir Tree” to
touch down in the corner. Incredibly, “Hills” were now 15 points ahead and the visitors had
not scored since the 20th minute, this due to an impressive defence in which Eggleton was
ultimately outstanding and Biggar’s over eager hands letting them down in some attacking
situations. But Biggar and, in particular, their stand-off Thomson made every effort to
wrest the game from the “Hills” in the dying minutes, and it took two try saving tackles from
Frame and Will Marshall on separate occasions to deny the visitors any hope of a come
back. By the end of a well contested and very hard, physical game, both teams were
exhausted, and the spectators on both sides had watched a fine advert for the game in
this Premier 2 fixture.

“This was a tremendous team effort from all the boys. Great credit to Paul Sheerin, who in
his first game in the 1st XV for two seasons made a contribution. I was delighted also for
Willie Brown who has been ill recently and produced his best performance of the Season.
We now, however, have to lift ourselves again for the final game vs Stirling.” noted head
Coach, Aaron Collins.

On the adjoining 2nd XV pitch the 2nd XV’s of the Clubs enjoyed an equally pulsating
contest with the home team edging the game by one point in a forty seven point thriller.
Assistant coach, “Dourie” Bell was delighted : “ We have had a torrid season with injuries,
front row and pitch problems but this was a tremendous game with every player
contributing. It was good that David Paterson had his first game in 11 weeks”

Hughenden 1st XV lost in a tight game to Paisley 1st XV by 8 pts to 5 at the Anchor pitches.