Fixture

Well the Season has started and Parc Bedw had arranged the Sun and the pitch in great condition,, well done Martin Evans. So let’s get going against last years Basement Boys Bryncoch managed by their Director of Rugby James Jenkins who had told me beforehand that they were a couple of players down – Sounded like get your excuses in early and retaliate first !!

But in any event the game kicked off and the crowd were treated to  twenty minutes of neutral rugby where the visitors with their No 10 pulling the attacking strings and the Birchgrove first line of defence , led by Adam Percival, R j Di’uilio and Liam Richards equalised the game

. Against the run of play Birch had an opportunity to take the lead but the normally reliable Nick Fisher pulled his kick wide to prevent the first score of a very tight game. The first score was looming though and as a move involving Scott Beard and Nick Fisher fizzled out a penalty award offered Fisher the opportunity to take the lead which he gratefully accepted 3 – 0.

Bryncoch to their credit immediately bounced back and the touch line was our saviour as Josh Evans the 60 yard scorer in last year’s fixture was brought back by a foot in touch. The Game was now becoming a bit of a War of Attrition with the alert opposition No 10 and inside centre in particular taking on the resolute defensive cover of Coach R J Di’uilio, Tom Downing, Josh Key and the outstanding energy and enthusiasm of Prop Liam Richards

Having withstood the pressure of close conflict on the home line it was no surprise to see the visitors turn their glut of territory in to points. A neat backs break for the line found support from an unstoppable bullocking run from prop Stuart Hill to go over for the game’s first try easily converted by no 10 Rory Morgan-Williams to give the visitors a 3- 7 half time lead which I would have to say, (despite accusations of journalistic bias levelled at me by some partisan Bryncoch followers!) they probably deserved.

With ground to make up if the expected home victory was not to be denied, Birchgrove started the second half with positive intent and a number of probing runs into the visitors defence which unfortunately was proving quite astute at thwarting our best efforts. The Game and the home side in particular needed something inspirational to spark their game and it was to come from a now expected quarter. Our fleet of foot fullback Lee Harris had had a quiet session by his standards but as a Tom Downing and Adam Percival combination saw an offload come Harris’ way, he was off in his familiar jinking fashion covering some 50 yards in what seemed a blink of an eye to touch down. Nick Fisher added the conversion and we were back on script ahead 10 – 7.

Although now smelling a home victory it was Bryncoch who were once again to take the lead when a penalty opportunity gave them a line out foothold near the home line. A break by the influential 10 saw him link up with his half back partner Jay Phillips who trotted over for the visitors second converted try and a 14 – 10 lead

. With the script now looking well and truly in shreds it was going to take a super human effort to pull this one out of the fire. Fair play to the lads though they rose bravely to the challenge as wave after wave of attacks were launched which although bravely defended by the visitors for the first time gave the now nervy supporters hope of snatching a victory out of the jaws of defeat.

 Even with our scrum now struggling a little to produce quality ball the heroic work of Josh Key at the base added to a solid line out performance led by the athletic Scott Beard and some astute Fisher and Garland kicking gave the home side a platform to camp on the visiting line in what were to be the closing minutes. Drive after drive was again being repelled but the pressure was to tell and although a combined effort it was the evergreen Darren Poland who was credited with the touch down and Nick Fisher converted to give the home side a 17 -14 lead. With an agonising 20 seconds or so left on the clock all that remained was to get the ball off the Park which we dutifully did to allow players and supporters to breathe a hefty sigh of relief.

Not the perfect victory but a victory none the less and a lesson in “never say die” which may hold us in good stead as the long season and its twists and turns unfold.

And to the “Journalistic Bias taunters” well done Bryncoch who look a much stronger outfit than last year and who will be a test for most sides in the division . James Jenkins your job looks safe providing the Club can continue to afford you.