Fixture

Birchgrove made the short trip to Skewen to restart the stuttering season after the holiday and COVID disruptions. Although I was unable to get to the game I understand it was a thrilling contest, first class entertainment, an excellent advert for Community Rugby and a credit to both sides and all involved . Birchgrove hampered by the fact that they had a reduced bench and calling on two permit players to make up the numbers went behind early on to a a Skewen penalty and unconverted try 8 - 0. An equal exchange of penalties helped consolidate the Skewen lead but Josh Jarrett’s two successful efforts kept the visitors in the game at 14. 6 .

It was Birch’s turn then to take the initiative with a Liam Richards try converted by Jarrett closing the gap to 14 -13 before the home side again bounced back firstly with a fourth successful penalty and then a converted try to give them a 24 -13 half time lead.

A re-energised Birchgrove grasped the nettle at the outset of the second half though and a  Rhys Morgan try gave the home side notice of intent in case it had not registered  24 - 18

Then “ Cometh the hour cometh the man “ and it was the veteran Mark John who was next to figure on the score board for the visitors with a try converted by Jarrett to put Birch in the lead for the first time in the game  24-25 Phew !!!!

Skewen quickly regained the lead though with penalty number five  27 – 25 before the see saw went in to overdrive as Jarrett with penalty number three edged Birch back in to the lead 27 -28 before the old warrior that is Mark John had the audacity to nick a cheeky drop goal and extend the lead to 27 – 31.

This must have been gripping stuff now for the newly restored post COVID Regulation crowd who must have been wondering how this classic was going to play out in the last 15 minutes of play. Would the home side, no doubt egged on by the home support and I suppose fresh legs  recover and stage a grand stand finish  or would the visitors, whose reduced bench cover must have placed a huge physical strain on the battered heroes still standing, manage to hold on for a distinguished victory.

Well a seven minute burst of home scoring Try, Conversion, Penalty , Try, Conversion a haul of 17 points with no retort was the answer which may have given the home side the  44 – 31 win but sounds to me like the glory may have been shaded  or at least shared by the valiant Robins 

Well done to all involved and lets hope the COVID disruptions are now behind us and we can get on with the rest of the Season  as scheduled.

Our redoubtable photographer Jeff Miles did make it to the game and action photographs will appear shortly on  https://birchgrove.rfc.wales/photo-albums

Next up will be Kenfig Hill  at home Sat 29^th January ko 2.30