Fixture

Birchgrove made the trek across Swansea today to take on Dunvant at  Broadacre which has not always been a happy hunting ground for us.   Playing in to the face of a strong wind it was Dunvant who dominated the early play and only sound defence led by industrious flanker Luke Myatt and ably assisted by hooker Conor Gallivan kept the home side from taking an early lead.

The pressure on the visitor’s line was relentless though and was only interspersed periodically by the occasional counter attack in which wing Jarrett showed up well supported by the effervescent Rob Green and back row partner Lewis Cox.

It was no surprise though, despite brave and resolute defence, when the home side took the lead. A succession of scrums close to the line led to a yellow card offence reducing Birchgrove to 14 men before another indiscretion brought a further 10 minute dismissal. The home side were quick to take advantage of the numerical superiority and were awarded a Penalty Try to give them a 7 – 0 lead.

Birchgrove rallied and a long range Steff Castle penalty reduced the deficit  to  7 – 3 but it was not long before the continued home pressure was to bring further reward. A mix of forward pressure and short  sharp driving phases opened up the visiting defence and  durable flanker Rhys Tucker strode in for try number 2 converted by D White  14 -3 .

Dunvant domination was to continue throughout the half with brave defence being the main acclaim of the visiting side with every man standing tall in an effort to stem the home side’s progress to the line. Tries from Rhys Barrow and a neat solo finish from scrum half Ben Ley , both converted by White, could not be prevented though as despite a late Birchgrove attack on the Dunvant line the home side turned around with a deserved and sizeable 28 – 3 lead.

So with the wind now at their backs Birchgrove quickly set about the task of recovery. Some bullocking runs from flanker Lewis Cox were starting to make inroads in to the home defence and the quality of centre Joe Gage was starting to show through . A swift backs movement saw Leigh Di’iluio taken high as he powered towards the line resulting in the second penalty try of the day but this time to the visitors . A towering touch line conversion from Castle further reducing the points gap to 28 – 10.

Birchgrove were now looking a far more accomplished outfit and some unyielding forward play from the set scrum complemented by Tom Downing and Tom Wright  providing neat ball  at the line out was giving busy scrum half Scott Hawkins the opportunity to get his backs moving.

There was a sense now that recovery was certainly on the cards and the visiting supporters were enthused when yet another yard grabbing run from Lewis Cox paved the way for the ball to be moved swiftly along the back division for Joe Gage to exploit a defensive gap and go over for a try again ably converted by Castle 28 – 17.

Birchgrove were now in the ascendency, even with the temporary impediment of being temporarily reduced to 14 men again. A combination of forward dynamism, innovative back play and  the shrewd boot of Castle was building confidence and  another score was on the cards. Once again territorial advantage offered opportunity for forward possession with Tom Wright looking like a surge to the line would yield more points. Desperate defence though delayed the inevitable before once again Joe Gage stepped up to cross over for his second try of the day. Castle again delivering the conversion and setting the scene at 28 – 24 for a grandstand finish.

The final chapter of this pulsating contest was every bit as exhilarating as the game as a whole as wave after wave of Birchgrove pressure was repelled by resolute home defence buoyed up by fresh forward bodies and relieving penalties.

The fairy tale recovery from a half time deficit of 25 points  though was not to be despite the herculean efforts of the visiting side and with the clock run down the referee brought the curtain down on a thrilling and exhilarating afternoon of Community Rugby which was a credit to all involved.

Well done lads.

Three games to go now in the reduced programme and it’s Brynamman at home next -  Sat 5^th March  k.o 2,30. See you there.