Biggar head for vital Gala clash as they bid for National League 1 title

Biggar head into a vital clash at home to Tennent’s National League 1 leaders Gala on Saturday, which could go some way towards determining the title.

The top three have traded places regularly over recent weeks, with Gala winning their game in hand to top the pile on 79 points, with Heriot’s on 77 and Biggar on 75, as they go into the final three fixtures.

Biggar maintained their promotion hopes with a bonus point win at Boroughmuir, a feat that was achieved early in the second half, only for their Edinburgh hosts to roar back at them to provide a nervous finish before eventually falling to the 38-14 defeat.

That has consigned Boroughmuir to relegation from National League 1, while Biggar tussle it out at the top.

With Gala and Heriot’s also recording bonus point wins, however, the win was a vital one.

Biggar opened the scoring in 12 minutes. Robbie Orr’s run forced Boroughmuir to concede a penalty, which Euan Bogle dispatched to touch, close to the line.

A well taken ball by Josh King and a lineout drive saw Andrew Orr dot down, with Bogle converting for a 7-0 lead.

Boroughmuir were fortunate to keep 15 on the pitch following a high tackle by Rory Drummond in 20 minutes, but Biggar opted for a scrum, a Ross Jackson pick-up at No.8 and a pop pass to Ewan McAra gave the scrum half an easy pass to Robbie Orr, who crashed over under the posts. Bogle’s conversion attempt was pulled wide, but they led 12-0.

Boroughmuir showed some promise at this point and only stout defence from Biggar kept them out.

However, when Robbie Orr broke upfield and found Rowan Stewart, he continued the move into the Muir half, where the hosts conceded another penalty.

A textbook lineout take and drive by Andrew Orr gave him a simple task to score