Fixture

Birchgrove’s hard fought 24 -15 home victory over Pyle today puts them sitting top of the league as rivals Taibach go down against Nantyfyllon.

Today’s game started with some bad luck for scrum half Leigh Di’lulio who lasted only a few minutes before his recurring shoulder injury saw him retire to the side-lines. Replacement, veteran Ricky Rosser, soon made his presence felt though as he was on hand to receive from hooker Rob Green to go over for a try converted by Nicky Fisher 7 – 0.

Pyle though with a big powerful pack and an almost as big threequarter line were not about to take things lying down. A loose kick off gave the Pyle forwards a chance to create a forward assault and a harsh penalty for an Adam Percival chop tackle allowed them to register a first penalty score 7 – 3.

Birchgrove were next on the score sheet from another penalty as wing Lee Harris set about one of his trade mark jinking runs only to discover that this was to be an uncompromising day from the Pyle defence but luckily the referee decided on this occasion best practice was in short supply. Nick Fisher stepped up to prove that he had his kicking boots with him this week and coolly slotted over the kick 10 – 3.

It was evident that this was going to be no walk in the park and Pyle were proving difficult opponents and a lot of the game was getting bogged down in what was becoming a soggy midfield. It was perhaps the home team’s frustration at not being able to press home their more open game aspect that led to the next score. An ambitious attempt to run the ball out from our own 22 was thwarted and with the Pyle forwards able to obtain ball, it was quickly shipped out to their gargantuan centre who made short work of skipping past the brave defensive efforts of Lee Harris to go over for their first converted try 10 -10 and back to the drawing board !!

Heading for half time the arm wrestling continued.  The tight duel was seesawing between the two sides but with the home front row of Daniel John, Mark Thomas and the dynamic Green doggedly delivering when it mattered in attack and defence. It was down to Nick Fisher once again to get the score board ticking over as he stepped up for penalty number two to take the game to half time with the score 13 – 10 in their favour.

Pyle started the second half with positive intent and despite strong tackling from Adam Percival and Tom Downing were able to create a foothold on the home 22. A strong defensive scrum thwarted the first drive for the line but recycled ball was once again moved towards the backs where their rampaging centre was again over in the corner for try number two and a first match lead for the visitors 13 – 15.

The game now started to take on a little more positive shape and some useful moves instigated by Liam Garland and enthusiastically carried on by Luke Beynon, now playing at centre, a marauding Kyle Evans and Adam Percival gave the home supporters renewed optimism. It was Mr. Fisher though who steadied the nerves and regained the lead for Birch with penalty number three , noses back in front 16 – 15.

Birch now had the bit between their teeth and a good move involving Garland, Lee Harris, Nicky Fisher and Kyle Evans allowed the home side to make serious inroads in to the away defence. The discretion of the referee allowed the game to flow even after a late tackle on Fisher took him out of the game. Ricky Rosser carried the ball forward before handing over to the impressive Scott Beard to drive on and with a little help from his friends give the equally industrious Luke Williams the opportunity  to go over for a captains try 21 -15 with Fisher only just missing out on a 100% record by the width of an upright.

Still not totally in the bag with only a converted try the difference between victory and defeat it was Birchgrove who delivered the more composed conclusion to the game. Pyle were guilty of maybe trying too hard but to the credit of the home team they kept their heads as Pyle lost theirs  and at one stage were down to 13 men.

Fisher with penalty number four put the game out of reach with a personal haul of 14 points at 24 -15 in the process taking what some may say was a deserved losing bonus from the visitors but at the end of play a job well done !

Top of the league was the reward and a mouth-watering top two clash at Taibach next week.

 Don’t miss it !!!!!!