Newton Stewart RFC travelled to Biggar RFC last weekend for a pre-season friendly to gauge the team’s readiness for National League Division 2 this year.
Biggar lost only one game last season to finish top of National 2 and were promoted into the higher ranks of National 1. This was therefore a big test for Newton Stewart and a great opportunity to test the waters of the higher leagues.
This friendly fixture was played over 4 x 20 minute quarters. The first twenty saw Biggar RFC controlling the ball and maximising possession, with the Reds pinned back in their own half and defending steadily. Immediately reacquainting themselves with the full contact game, the boys set to work defending their line and their reputations. The Gaw brother Calum and Jack were in the thick of the action, and with a few bruising tackles under their belts Newton Stewart survived the first quarter unscathed and looked for ways to get some possession of their own in the second quarter.
The next twenty minutes was exciting to watch in a Red jersey as Newton Stewart took control. They pushed forwards, maintaining constant pressure on Biggar and playing fast-paced rugby. Back row Jason McKie was outstanding as he fought for every ball at every ruck, his commitment exemplary. At half-time the game was all-square at 0-0, but the performance from both sides was excellent.
Reds’ coach Martin Wallace experimented with his players, trying Connal McDonald and Liam Brawls in the front row for the third quarter. Both coped well and handled themselves admirably in the scrums, with Brawls being particularly dynamic in the loose.
This spell of the game also saw Newton Stewart’s only try of the day. Centre Fraser Morton ran an outside line and got a superb offload away as he went down in the tackle, accurately taken by his brother Russell who changed direction on a six-pence to dance his way through the Biggar line for a fantastic try. Jack Gaw converted to a huge cheer form the visiting support for 0-7.
With only minutes to go in this phase Biggar capitulated by rumbling over for a forward’s try in the far right corner. An excellent conversion kick followed to level the scores at 7-7.
The final quarter was tense in more ways than one. Both teams looked to find their way through for the winning score, and the physicality of the game intensified. Heavy clouds gathered simultaneously, and a thunderstorm hit just as Biggar put away a second try in the dying seconds of the match. There was disappointment from Newton Stewart as the final whistle blew, as they had looked and felt the more threatening of the two teams throughout. However the result, and especially the performance, remains a great confidence booster ahead of the 2019-20 season.
There were some excellent performances around the park: Robbie McCornick was as tenacious as ever at scrum-half whilst James McMiken put in a great shift in the second row.
The back row line-up of Alan Ferrie, Calum Gaw and Jason McKie were outstanding however. Ferrie made several breaks and some sensational tackles, one in particular will not be forgotten by the Biggar scrum-half any time soon. Gaw was a constant thorn in the flesh of his opponents, whilst McKie was nothing short of sensational in his work rate and determination. He was the stand-out player of the match from both sides and will prove a force to be reckoned with in the season ahead in this form!
This weekend (Saturday 17th August) the Reds take on Ayr RFC in another friendly, this time at Bladnoch Park. There will be both 1st and 2nd XV matches taking place, as well as an RBS Rugby Force day which is dedicated to promoting rugby within the community. There will be plenty for all ages to see and do, with the matches kicking off at 3pm. All are welcome!

Team: Russell Morton, David Adams, Fraser Morton, Jack Gaw, Jamie Muir, David Gaw, Robbie McCornick, Ross Campbell, Thomas MacDonald, Ronan McDonald, James McMiken, Mark Craig, Alan Ferrie, Calum Gaw, Jason McKie. Subs: Mark McCornick, Connal McDonald, Liam Brawls, Martin Wallace, Malachy Wright.