Fixture

Well after the blink of an eye and you missed it Summer we welcomed the Rugby Season back to Parc Bedw today where visitors Skewen were beaten 23- 10.

A strong Birchgrove side with a smattering of new faces set about their task in workmanlike fashion from the kick off testing the away defence with strong runs from Scott Gibson, Josh Jarrett and new player coach Jack Rodon. Skewen were also intent on adopting a similar pattern though and for the first twenty minutes or so despite huge physical effort neither side was looking like it would break each other’s defensive stranglehold.

Skewen were first on the scoreboard though with a penalty following a dubious high tackle award, which was to become the theme of the afternoon, 0-3. Their second penalty hit a post and you thought that the game needs an injection of enterprise to bump it out of the Stalemate state.

Well, it was soon to come and thankfully from the home side. Busy second row Chris Gorvett battled in midfield to win a hard fought loose ball. Hanno Dirksen was on hand to take the ball on with a surging run and ever supportive Scott Gibson was over for the games first try, converted by new full back Jake Crockett 7 – 3.

The power game soon returned though with Josh Key, Liam Richards and Jack Rodon to the fore in the forward exchanges. A long-range Birchgrove penalty from Crockett kept the scoreboard moving 10 - 3 as Birch were starting to show some enterprise behind. It was the home side once again who provided the missing spark as another surge up field and the ball moving swiftly through hands ended with Josh Jarrett going over for try number 2 again converted by Crockett 17 -3 at half time

Skewen were first to strike in the second half as a couple of forward drives resulted in Luke Roberts going over for a converted try 17 – 10 . Birch were still looking the most likely to score though and another Crockett penalty stretched the lead to 20 – 10. We were not having it all our own way though and were lucky not to concede a try as a loose pass was hacked on over our line by the visitors but a chasing back could not get downward pressure on the ball.

So, it was back to the dependable Crockett to increase the score  with another long range penalty neatly slotted between the posts and at 23 – 10 the first win of the new season was sealed as the game was played out with no further score.

Candidates for Man of Match

Josh Key

Hanno Dirksen

Jack Rodon

Jake Crockett

Award goes to Full Back Jake Crockett

Always nice to start with a win, work to do but a good victory and here’s to many more.

Next week no league fixture but we have a friendly at home against Lougher.