Fixture

Birchgrove’s hopes of registering an illusive victory against near neighbours and rivals Bonymaen were riding high after 40 minutes with a 14 – 17 score.  But a second half five try onslaught by a powerful opponent left those hopes in gloomy tatters !

The game started with the usual sparring to gain supremacy in territory and possession but it was the Bony using their forward power to good effect who gained first blood with a Sean Sturgess try and a Laurence Thomas conversion to gain a 0 – 7 lead.

Birch though showing great enterprise behind the pack soon bounced back as Tristan James, Sam Berbillion and Leigh Di’lulio combined to put skipper Scott Gibson in for a try converted by Sam Evans 7 – 7 followed by a Bony penalty 7-10

The powerplay of the Bony was soon knocking on the home door though as 1, 2 and 3, phases turned in to 5, 6 and 7 but with the home defence refusing to yield. Going forward Ashley Morgan, Chris Gorvett and Di’lulio were making good ground. It was the sniping of skipper Gibson though that was to provide the breakthrough as with a cheeky 40 yard surge he had the presence of mind to pick out the supporting Tristan James who powered over for the home side’s second converted try and a 14 – 10 lead.

The see sawing continued as Bony pulled back through their second converted try  before a  massive home effort almost stole the lead back but full back Ashley Evans was deemed to have been held up resulting in an away drop out and a home yellow card to bring a pulsating half to an end 14 – 17

More of the same being the expectation, the home support was not unduly concerned as the second half got underway and the Bony responded to an exchange of penalties with their third try of the day and at 24 -17 this was still a game that could go either way.

The power of the away scrum and it’s fresh legs was starting to show through though and a typical catch and drive from a line out resulted in try number 4 for the opposition 29 – 17 and a further flurry of forward domination gave them another try and an irrepressible 36 – 17 lead.

The home backs, aided by a brave forward effort , tried in vain to break out of the stranglehold they now found themselves in and as is the way when chasing the game some cheeky enterprise turned in to unfortunate anguish as the away team capitalised on some frantic play to complete the collapse running in tries number 6 and 7 and a final score of 50 points to 17.

Not what we would have wished for, nor expected as at half time  we looked in contention but that is the way the game swings so regroup and look ahead to next week’s visit to another strong promotion contender, Dunvant. See you there.

Man of the Match contenders this week come from the attacking force of the first half and resilience and fortitude of the second.

Scott Gibson, and Tristan James

Leigh Di’lulio, and Liam Richards

Man of the Match and Congratulations  goes to Scott Gibson.