News

There will be some aching bodies around this morning as Birchgrove set about the new season with a warm up match against Newcastle Emlyn.

The opposition, relegated from the heady heights of the Championship last year but still a well organised and experienced outfit set the home side a stern and physical test and Birch gave a very good account of themselves in a 14 .14. draw.

In a physical opening it was the visitors who were on top territorially and possession  wise but Birchgrove’s defence was resolute and it was the home side in almost their first concentrated attacking move who were to take the lead. A  forward driving move left centre Adam Percival in some open space an off load to Josh Key  provided swift progress and with an audacious dummy to wrong foot the cover defence allowed Key a run in for the first try of the season converted by Matthew  Edwards 7.0

NCE were quick to respond getting back in to their pacey driving game and were soon camped on the home line. With no quarter given in the defensive line though it was a good number of phases before the defence was breached to bring an equalising try and conversion 7.7

The game continued in its physical vein and the new comers to this level, Birchgrove, were giving as good as they got in all facets of the game. Once again the home lead was to be restored as Lewis Cox reprised  his  bullocking presence of last year to go over for the second home try Edwards converted 14 . 7

Back they came though and more pressure met with more stubborn and well coordinated defence keeping  the visitors out until just before half time when a forward orchestrated try was won and converted to bring the half to a close 14.14

Some changes of personnel at half time made little difference to the pattern of play and although there was no score in the second session it was a fascinating battle of strength , muscle and fitness punctuated with the occasional dash of flair that must have left both Coaches pretty satisfied and the home players in particular pretty pleased with the way they had dealt with this early taste of higher grade Rugby.

Cefeneithin up  next  on Saturday away.

Keep it up lads