Fixture

Having sustained an  early 100% unbeaten run at league level, Birchgrove were going to 1^st Division Waunarlwydd for this WRU Plate first round contest in a pretty relaxed but determined mood knowing that the pressure was on the opponents to perform.

Within five minutes or so you could easily have thought that opponent’s higher league standing was an obstacle too far for this young Birchgrove side as the home side battered their way to within 10 yards of the visitors line. An uncharacteristic half back handling error gave them a scrum foothold and over they went for the first score after 7 minutes an unconverted try 5 – 0.

Birchgrove though, unaffected, continued to match the physicality of the home side and that first Waunarlwydd excursion in to the visiting 22 actually became their only one of the first half. With dogged determination and an equal showing of skill and ability the visiting side showed that they were a match for their opponents and were surpassing them in some facets of the game as Adam Rowlands and powerful full back Chris Shill both made excellent breaks to threaten scores only to be thwarted by desperate defence or unlucky handling.

With the Birch confidence building a scrum penalty gave them a chance to put points on the board and Adam Rowlands struck the ball beautifully from 45 yards or so to get their first points 5 – 3.. With their tails up and the loose play of Luke Myatt, Josh Key, Rob Green and the bullocking Liam Richards driving the visitors forward Rowlands once again stepped up to convert his second penalty to give the visiting team a well deserved and hard fought 5 – 6 half time lead.

A wounded Waunarlwydd started the second half as they had the first and having secured a driving forward platform they quickly retook the lead with a neat drop goal 8 -6.

Birch though still un fazed were themselves quickly back on the front foot and creating a solid foothold near the opposition line. Rob Scrine  was first to test the home defence with a charge from the base of the scrum which was enveloped by the home defence.  Second phase possession though this time saw Rowlands go blind to feed the oncoming Shill who slipped the ball neatly to Flanker Luke Myatt to go over for his first club try, unconverted and the lead was back with the “minnows” 8 -11

The “ big boys” were now getting really mad !! and to their credit tried everything to turn this game back in their favour and it looked as if they may have got themselves back on track when after a succession of scrum penalties against the visiting pack the referee ran out of patience and awarded a 7 point penalty try to Waun and lead changes again 15 – 11.

Was this the end of the Drama ?

Not likely, again Birch bounce back and again they secure position and possession near the home line.With bodies spread-eagled everywhere a “ Red Sea” moment presented itself as the home  defence opened up and a resolute look of defiance appeared on the face of an emerging Liam Richards ball safely tucked under his arm. As his leg muscles and every sinew of his body pumped away with the line in his sights you thought this is it ! only for a lone desperate defensive hand to appear and destroy the fairy tale and 50 yard try story he must have been conjuring up in his mind for the Clubhouse later !!!

All lost  !!   not likely  !!!!!

A  disgruntled and very angry Rob John , having minutes earlier been unceremoniously “dumped” in a tackle, was on the prowl for revenge and nothing was going to stop him as he gratefully accepted  a perfect set up from the maurauding hooker to go over for try number two easily converted by Adam Rowlands and the underdogs were back in the lead 15 -18.

Back Waun came and you thought here we go again as with the clock ticking away  the home side were awarded a penalty which would give them opportunity to get position for one final onslaught. After some discussion with the referee though I suspect surrounding the time left on the clock the home side elected to take the kick which if successful I assume  would take the tie in to extra time.

A silent crowd held their breath as the kicker approached and with a good strike sent the ball spinning towards the post but a veer to the left was to give Birchgrove the victory they richly deserved 15 – 18.

A good well contested Cup Tie. Well done to all involved