Fixture

Birchgrove regained top spot in the division with an 18-24 Bonus point victory at near neighbours Alltwen today.

Still unbeaten, Birchgrove travelled the short distance to Alltwen determined to regain the division  top spot from rivals Glais. It took all of two minutes to register their intent as indiscipline from the home kick off gave Birchgrove the advantage of a half way line scrum. Three phases later and following powerful drives firstly from Dai Cullen followed by Josh Key saw a perfect offload to Tom Downing to go over for the games first try. Liam Garland converted and Birch were flying on a 0- 7 lead.

Shell shocked Alltwen to their credit quickly regrouped and after some concentrated forward pressure found themselves driving for the visitor’s line. Defence was solid though but a successful penalty brought a first score for the home side 3 – 7.

Birch tried once more to regain the initiative only to see a number of small errors creeping in to their game and when frustration gave the referee an opportunity to reverse a penalty, Alltwen were back in the game 6-7.

The next score was a Birchgrove classic, after a spell when honours were almost even, the visitors were awarded an almost innocuous scrum on the home 10 yard line. From the solid heel, scrum half Nathan Jones went on a jinking run which seemed to totally mesmerise the home defenders and breaking left and right his mazy run took him untouched almost 40 yards to the try line for a superb solo try. Garland was unable to add the conversion but Birch were just about good value for their 6-12 half time lead.

The second half saw the visitors put together some consistent play with a solid scrum, energetic loose play and better back handling putting them on the front foot. Kyle Evans, Josh Key and Liam Griffiths were sucking in defenders with powerful runs and centres Adam Percival and Liam Garland were keen to carry on the drive for the line. With the Alltwen defence fully stretched Birch recycled ball was quickly switched to the advancing Kyle Evans who strolled for the third try with some ease. Garland converted 6-19

The fourth, and bonus, try was not long coming as a similar pattern was developing. Strong running in to the heart of the home defence with captain Luke Williams, Dai Cullen and Liam Richards again prominent. Nathan Jones and centre Liam Garland combined and this time full back Ricky Rosser was the man in waiting. No conversion 6 -24.

Once again Alltwen needed to regroup and with dogged forward play and the sniping of their ever dangerous scrum half started to put down a few markers in Birchgrove territory. Their fine efforts were to be rewarded as they drove over from short range to register their first try of the day 11-24.

As the minutes ticked away although Birch were in the ascendancy, it was Alltwen who had the final say, a movement near the visitors line was unfortunately brought to an end with what was deemed a deliberate interference and the referee awarded a penalty try 16-24. The simple conversion opportunity some believe was squandered as the ball sailed below the cross bar but the referee had the deciding vote in awarding the score and thereby a losing bonus point which  no one would begrudge the spirited home side.

Tonmawr away next week and the 100% record remains intact.

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