Fixture

Ok we lost a game and although it’s disappointing especially the magnitude of the defeat and it hurts but let’s put this in to perspective :-

It’s our second defeat of a successful year !

Nantyfyllon have lost three and we have beaten Resolven twice , they haven’t !

Leinster have lost three, Exeter and Saracens have lost 3 and 2 respectively

Man City have lost 4 and Barcelona have lost 2 and drawn 6.

Nobody believes they are bad sides so let’s move on and get the job done with two more wins, bonus points would be useful !

Today’s game was a one off, I remember the feeling at Morriston earlier in the season, our only other reversal and after 15 minutes today it was similar.

Nanty started like a train and their kicking game was immediately starting to pay off.  Kick and chase presented them with an immediate opportunity to score and only a try saving tackle from Chris Weightman saved the day.

More of the same was to come though and the first try came as our usually outstanding defence were found wanting for once and the home 9 was through for a converted try 7 – 0. A penalty was to follow shortly and with little opportunity to get the ball in our hands a second penalty gave the home side  a commanding 13 – 0 lead.

Their tactical kicking and aggressive attack continued to present us with problems and despite  Nathaniel Llewellyn and Matthew Edwards holding up another marauding attack, recycled ball put the home side over for their second converted try and the shell shocked away support were wondering could we bounce back from a 20 – 0 setback.

Well we did get the next score as Matthew Edwards pulled three back with a successful penalty 20 -3 The home side though living a charmed life as everything they tried seemed to go their way were soon back on the score sheet. The sight of their powerful right wing heading towards the line, legs pumping and knees it seems reaching his chin on every stride once more brought a brave defence. But when it’s not going your way it really isn’t and recycled ball saw try number three, unconverted 25 – 3.

Birch though were sticking to the task and could really have had 2 or maybe three tries themselves  during the first 40 minutes but passes not going to hand or  slightly off target were adding to the woe of the first half which finished  25 – 3.

From the restart, Lewis Cox our shining light of a ball carrier this season brought hope to the visitors as he made the hard yards. Again though lady luck was not on our side and their 9 who in all honesty had tormented us for most of the day was on hand to set up the home bonus try, converted well 32 – 3.

The game was obviously lost but Birch manfully stuck to their task but whether it was Rowlands, Lee Harris, Jamie Sturgess or Edwards breaking from the back or Key, Cox , Downing, Beard and Llewellyn trying to bludgeon their way forward Nanty seemed to have the measure of us on the day.

So for the first time I would say this season we failed to get across the try line and Nanty finished off a well deserved victory with a penalty and an unconverted try for a handsome 40 -3 win.

So lads that’s the reality, two games to go let’s regroup and finish off the season with the success your efforts so far this season deserve.

Fixtures coming up :-

Seven Sisters away Sat April 13th

Silver Ball Semi Final v Ystalyfera Wed April 17^th at Glynneath

Taibach away Sat April 27^th

It’s in our hands !!