Fixture

It’s a long trek to Builth Wells but after today’s exceptional performance it all seems worth it.

 A 13 – 15 victory at a far flung outpost is not one to be sneezed at especially as it appeared we were at one stage staring a defeat in the face but the resilience and fight of this young side was nothing short of amazing!

The game started as you would expect from two sides with a more than reasonable record to date and not prepared to give an inch to each other. It was Birchgrove who were the first to concede though as after a number of what could have been considered disputable penalties gave the home side a pretty easy penalty advantage 3 – 0.

The battle continued and unlike the earlier games this season the Birchgrove pack failed to dominate the home side who created the better attacking platform from set pieces but were met with the forceful defence of Adam Percival, his equally aggressive partner Nathanial Llewellyn and their usual allies the back row of Lewis Cox, Josh Key and the influential Luke Myatt.

This had the look of a war of attrition about it and it was no surprise that the home team were  to increase their lead with a further penalty  6 – 0. They also continued to undertake the basics of  scrum, line out, and touch kicks  with a high level of consistency which although worrying for the visitors did not bring the rewards in points  fashion which left a degree of optimism with the  visitors and their supporters who had turned up in good numbers.

So at the turn around with the Home side having secured a sizeable territorial and possessional advantage but with only a 6 point lead was this game over or even in the hands of Builth ??

The answer came within minutes of the restart as the ball fell to enigmatic full back Lee Harris Would he run or would he kick  !  A half break was enough and the ever supportive sight of experienced wing Chris Weightman was enough for him to flip the ball in his direction.  What followed would do justice to a Billy Smart’s Circus juggler as Chris wrestled with the ball in hot potato fashion before making ground, chipping on and winning the race to touch down for the first try of the game, unconverted 6 -5

Builth though bounced back with some high density forward play having now realised that their backs probing was not going to dent the away defence. A good tight forward drive put the visitors under pressure and a classic back of the scrum move put the home centre in for a converted try  13-5  

Same question, was it all over , at 13 – 5 it could have been !

Well, the answer is not likely,!. Young Kyle Thompson, Callum Llewellyn, Liam Richards and able support Scott Beard and Tom Downing must have said “enough is enough” and from a solid 22 yard scrum , although retreating slightly the ever dependable Josh Key picked up, fed powerfull  scrum half Rob Scrine who powered over for try number two , well converted by Adam Rowlands and at 13-  12 this was a game to be won

Builth did all in their power to battle back but the Birchgrove first line of defence remained sturdy steadfast and resolute in their defiance and eventually a well deserved penalty opportunity was to present itself which Adam Rowlands converted to put the away side firmly in the driving seat 13 -15.

With a tentative 10 minutes to go the game could have swayed either way but it was the renewed energy and vigour of the visiting side that was to prevail and an away scalp that not many sides in this division will take this year was the reward.

No mention of Captain Scott Beard’s emerging Grubber Kick career is necessary and we will keep that for another day !!!!  

Outstanding effort today lads well done to all involved.