Under 15’s - COUNTY CHAMPIONS!

Biggleswade under 15’s were crowned champions of Bedfordshire in a thrilling final last Sunday, when Biggleswade overpowered Ampthill to win by 10 points – Nil.
This was billed as a rugby spectacular, with the best two sides in the county playing for cup honours, both squads boasting several county players, and both clubs with a great sporting tradition in this event at both junior & senior levels.
Biggleswade started their day early, with a light breakfast and some quality time to discuss the game plans and look at the strengths and weaknesses of themselves and their opposition and by the 1pm kick off the Biggy camp were ready.
As the game kicked off, the Biggy coaching team of, Stan Matthews, Steve West, Steve Torne, Richard Phipps, Paul Downey & Simon Barker were confident that the team had all the ability and fire power to silence the Ampthill crowd this time.
The first half was played at a furious pace, both sets of forwards testing the opposition in lineouts & scrummages. And when the ball came out the backs made some powerful runs and both sides made some brilliant defensive tackles.
As the half time whistle blew the coaches rushed on the field to congratulate the teams, and look to give some guidance on how to break through the other sides defences to win the game. The parents of Biggleswade invited Ampthill to join them in a glass or two of port, to help to settle the nerves of such an intense match.
Steve Oliver East Midlands referee blew his whistle to start the second half,
Biggy lead by the very focused and powerful Dominic Nott started well, winning good ball from the kick off, driven on by Ryan Shepherd and Michael Haddow, before Tom Torne released the ball for the three quarters, The ball was moved out to Gary Athow who crossed the try line but was just held up and could not ground the ball for the score, Biggy now full of belief that they could break the Ampthill defence.
George Matthews kept the pressure on with some great tactical kicking, Good runs from Will Roake, Dean Bartlett, and James Hamilton could not break the opposition defence, but then came the chance, the Biggy forwards had the scrum inside the opposition half, the powerful Biggy front row of Owen Thomas, Tom Harwood and Stuart West won good ball again and Biggy were on the attack, Stuart Phipps and Big Ben Woodhead drove on, stopped just short of the line, the Biggy man of the match Dom Nott, knew this was the chance and took the ball under his arm, and powered over the line to score. George stepped up to add the conversion and the extra 2 points, As the game started Ampthill were always going to be dangerous but when you play at Biggy you always know that the fullback Charlie Chopper Darlow will ensure the opposition don’t score. This allowed Biggy to continue the attack and with 10 minutes remaining this pressure lead to Ampthill making an error and Biggy were awarded the penalty, George stepped up to give Biggy a 10 points – Nil lead.
This was something the Biggy boys were not going to give up, the last 10 minutes saw Biggleswade take control and were unlucky not to score again as the final whistle blew the celebrations at Langford Road began.
Biggleswade Squad Tom Harwood, Owen Thomas, Stuart West, Michael Haddow, Will Sale, Russell Bonfield, Stuart Phipps, James Hamilton, Ryan Shepherd, Dom Knott, Ben Woodhead, Tom Torne, Ashley Dunn, Sam Joyce, George Matthews, Gary Athow, Will Roake, Will Priston, Dean Bartlett, Charlie Darlow, Matt Laws, Liam Price, Ryan Hudson, Rosco Pibworth, James Goddard.

Bedfordshire Cup Final at Biggleswade

After Beating Bedford convincingly in the first round of the Beds Cup, the only deed to complete to put the 15's in the final was to beat Luton. Deed done, with probably one of the best displays of "team" rugby seen for many years, the 15's are now looking forward to playing arch local rivals Ampthill in the Final at Biggleswade this Sunday 26th March.
K.O. will be at 1pm and a guaranteed nail biter will be taking place.
Please come and support your local side, the bar will be open and food and drink available.
Lets make Bigglswade proud and bring home the trophy in style with lots of support and cheering for your lads.

Under 14's - Ampthill 5 v Biggleswade 10

In a match that saw end-to-end rugby from start to finish, Biggleswade come out eventual winners thanks to an excellent second half try. Some rare quick phase ball, was flipped across the backs and on an outside break, Hutchinson ran it in from his own half to gave Biggleswade a 10 point lead. Up to that point, Biggleswade had led through a first half penalty from Hughes, but with the Ampthill pack winning the battle at the breakdown, neither side could sustain any real pressure long enough to get a decisive score. Having managed to put some daylight between the sides, Biggleswade then kicked away pocession and a wicked bounce deceived every player on the pitch apart from the Ampthill No.8 who caught the ball and ran it back unopposed for a soft try in the corner.
The rest of the game continued in the same nip and tuck vain, but no further scores came and Biggleswade maintained their recent run of good results.

Starman: Heath
Tries: Hutchinson
Pen: Hughes
Con: Hughes

15's Make the Mobbs Finals...

...and the regional finals in Derby!
Mobbs Tournament
The Biggleswade squad attend the Mobbs festival this season thanks to the fantastic work by Richard Phipps. After a mix up with registration Biggy were excluded due to missing deadlines for registration, but with Richards’s determination, hard work and commitment to the club and its players, he managed to secure the entry at the last minute.
The Biggy under 15’s played as always some very attractive Rugby.
The first 2 games in the early stages went according to plan, Biggleswade knew the opposition would be of good quality, they also understood that a good points difference could be important to go into the semi finals, with that in mind the game plan was set, and if you look at the results in the first stage, you can see it was successful.
Biggleswade 19 - Stockwood Park 0
Biggleswade 15 – Northampton Old Scouts 0
Biggleswade moved into the Semi Finals The Semi final was against Dunstable, a side Biggleswade had not played this season, but a club that has an excellent senior side at present, residing several leagues above that of Biggleswade , The Biggleswade coaches Stan Matthews, Richard Phipps & Steve West looked to make some tactical changes, but again the Biggy boys took to the field and played with great skill and determination.
Biggleswade 34 – Dunstable 0

Biggleswade were in the final.
This team has reached this final in 3 consecutive seasons, not a bad record by anyones standards, and once again the coaches played a team to suit the occation, and once again every squad member played their part, at Full time it was 0-0, so extra time and the golden score.
Unfortunately the Biggy boys lost this match, by a single try, and the only points that Biggleswade conceded all afternoon, this match could have gone either way. The Referee and competition officials praised Biggleswade on their Skill, their style of play and the way they conducted themselves on the pitch.
The squad should be very proud.
Biggleswade Squad:
Tom Harwood, Owen Thomas, Stuart West, Michael Haddow, Will Sale, Russell Bonfield, Stuart Phipps, James Hamilton, Ryan Hudson, Ryan Shepherd, Dom Knott, Ben Woodhead, Rosco Pibworth, Tom Torne, Ashley Dunn, Sam Joyce ©, George Matthews, Gary Athow, Will Roake, Will Priston, Dean Bartlett, Charlie Darlow, Matt Laws, Liam Price.

Under 14's Mobbs Semi Finalists...

The group of death......Biggleswade went to Wellingborough knowing a tough day of rugby was ahead of them.
read the full results on the under 14's page.
P.S. And a very well done from the under 15's.