Biggar Ladies won promotion to next season’s Tennent’s National League 1 after beating Dundee Valkyries 22-15 in the West Regional League play-off final.
Both sides were undefeated in their respective sections this season, with a tough encounter played out at Morgan Academy FPs’ pitch in Dundee.
Biggar travelled without several key players due to international commitments, injuries and unavailability, but they still managed a squad of 20.
Valkyries grabbed the first score but Biggar struck back with a blistering run by Gerry Kimm that took her under the posts, providing a relatively straight-forward conversion for stand-in kicker Emily Inglis for a 7-5 lead.
Dundee had a powerful pack and were sharp over the ball, which helped them engineer frequent turnovers, but Biggar’s defence held firm with some huge hits from across the squad, exemplified by captain Abbie Baillie, Alison Orr, Emelia Knights and Kimm.
Following several infringements, Dundee got further upfield and they regained the lead with a second try for 10-7.
However, a turnover from a loose Dundee pass gave Anna Forsyth an opportunity to show her pace, running round the Dundee defence from just inside her own half.
The conversion was too far out, but Biggar led 12-10 at the interval.
Biggar continued to run hard at the Dundee defence in the second half, forcing them to tackle, and this undoubtedly had an effect on Valkyries, who began to struggle.
Kimm grabbed Biggar’s vital third try for a 17-10 advantage, but few inside the ground felt that would be enough.
Dundee came roaring back at Biggar, and their tactic of quickly taken penalty awards paid dividends with a third try, and a chance to tie the scores with the conversion.
At that point, with four minutes left, nobody knew how the match would be decided in the event of a draw, and none of the players appeared to be keen on extra time.
The kick landed short, but that still provided a nervy finish for both teams.
However, Biggar’s response to the try was swift and decisive, with an attacking position established.
And Kimm showed great grit and determination to burst through the defence for the hat-trick and the 22-15 scoreline, with Inglis’ conversion attempt falling short.
There was still time for a restart, but Biggar won the ball and having played a couple of phases, Kimm booted the ball out of play to spark huge celebrations.
The ladies have a couple of weeks off before they begin the National Plate competition with matches at Livingston on March 27 and Wigtownshire on April 3, before hosting Orkney on April 16.
BIGGAR SQUAD: Anna Forsyth, Vicky Haddow, Geraldine Kimm, Emily Inglis, Niamh Stewart, Emelia Knights, Abbie Baillie, Megan Mciver, Robyn Struthers, Megan McCarry, Alison Russell, Laura Watson, Rebecca Coffey, Alison Orr, Jennifer Bell. Reps: Cristina Ertze, Rebecca Clarke, Lauren McDonald, Ruth Elliot, Rachel Ferguson.
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