Fixture

Yet another nail biting finish in the final round of the WRU Plate at rivals Bonymaen  left Birchgrove without a win in the competition but overall covered in Glory.

A misplaced kick off from Bonymaen immediately gave the visitors the advantage and from the  free kick restart Birchgrove started to build the phases. Deserved first blood came in the shape of a penalty as Steff Castle stepped up to put the Birch ahead 0 -3.and the Bony temporarily  reduced to 14 men

Bonymaen bounced back from the restart and were soon encamped on the visitors 22 but some slow ball allowed the ever alert Jack Perkins to slam the Bonymaen ball carrier, dislodging the ball in the process. Adam Rowlands lurking on the fringes was first to react and with space in front of him he set off on a “high altitude” lung bursting run to the line making light of the pursuing pack to touchdown for a magnificent unconverted  try and a 0-8 lead.

A shaken home side now dug in in an effort to get back on track but for all their forward supremacy Birchgrove were dealing efficiently with everything they threw at them. Steff Castle at full back and Adam Rowlands at 10 consistently driving them back with siege gun kicking and the Birch back row and No 8 Josh Key in particular heroically and consistently retrieving ball from the scrum base as  the driving juggernaught home pack turned the screw.

Having turned down a number of short range penalty kick options in favour of looking for a forward drive lineout opportunity the Bonymaen frustration at the visiting defensive gallantry showed through as they attempted to convert from 50 yards. With the ball falling short a follow up tackle on diminutive full back Castle saw him leave the field and Bonymaen again reduced to 14 men. Keeping the forward pressure on though the home side eventually got on the scoreboard with a 40 yard successful penalty to take the game to the break at 3 – 8.

Bonymaen started the second half on the front foot as another monster, raking Rowlands kick just failed to find touch. Back in the forward cauldron Bonymaen were still dominating the tight areas but the speed and strength of Perkins, Key and Cox in the visiting back row aided and abetted by the remaining forward warriors was giving the visiting side a more than fair share of the breakdown.

It was Bony who were next on the score sheet though as for once their midfield avoided the limpet like attention of the Birch backs defence securely marshalled by the assertive Adam Percival. A half break allowed a rare home backs move to develop and some swift passing allowed full back Jordan Smith in for the first home try , unconverted 8 – 8

Game on as they say, and it was Birchgrove who once again quickly reacted to the setback and it was the visiting side who were once more heading for the home line. Quick ball from the loose engagements from scrum half  Scott Hawkins was giving the Birch runners every opportunity to run at their opponents and Green, Cox and Thompson all assisted to get the visitors in an attacking position before an infringement allowed Bony respite.

A long clearance superbly fielded by Leigh D’iulio  jumping like a salmon against his much taller opponent  though soon set the visitors back on the attack and with the action now centred in the opposition half Adam  Rowlands pulled out his second trick of the day. Taking the ball from the loose and with the snarling Bony pack bearing down on him with great aplomb and assured composure he struck a drop kick from 35 yards that sailed through the posts for a rare drop goal score and an 8 – 11 lead.

A wounded Bonymaen were now on a mission and they once again took the fight to the opposition. Another dominant scrum ,another penalty ,another miss but a defensive slip might have let them in if not for even more heroic defence and yet another superb clearance kick. But back they come more defensive heroics but a poor line out gives the Bony forwards another opportunity to gain ground and a penalty. A short range  miss from home 10  Richard Cunniffe on this occasion allows the Birch to stay in the lead. Was it to be our day ?

Well we are getting used to knowing the answer to that one in this competition !!

A defensive indiscretion deep in our own half was deemed to be unlawful Cunniffe makes no mistake this time . 11 – 11 and a man down it was going to be uphill from here on in to at least get away with a more than deserved share of the spoils.

The visitors were not daunted though and stuck gamely to the task continuing to  bravely, share, possession, territory and opportunity to avoid the last gasp victory that the home side were now desperate for. In the event though and almost inevitably the defensive shield was breached.

A Penalty kick took them to close to the Birch  line, the inevitable catch and drive was once again valiantly held up but the ref stepped in, a free kick quickly taken with blanket forward support brought the score we didn’t want and didn’t deserve. A touch line conversion rubbed salt in to the wound and the home side support was excited and relieved in equal proportions as they ran the game down to an 18 – 11 victory.

A difficult competition and no wins is a travesty and does not in any way accurately  reflect the effort, drive and enthusiasm laced with no shortage of skilful enterprise that Birchgrove have committed to these games.

We move on though and now look forward to the real season starting on  Saturday November the 13^th when we visit Tondu.

Heads up lads the travelling faithful are proud of your efforts and so should you be.