Fixture

“As I return from a long but satisfying journey to Builth Wells today I am keen to chronicle the details of one of the best and most competitive games of Rugby I have certainly seen this Season”

Well I wrote that on the 28^th of January this year and two and a half months later both sides can again be credited with a fine spectacle of pulsating Community rugby 10 tries, total commitment, thrills, spills and end of game drama.

With the sun on their backs and a solid ground for the first time in months Birch started with some Barbarian style Rugby. Steff Gibson makes the break; centre Harvey James takes the off load and Scott Gibson is on hand to go over. Steff converts 7 – 0.

Builth respond and threaten the home line but after three penalties the home side turnover and get back on the offensive. Lewis Cox is on a charge, Aled Thomas just fails to hold the offload but a successful recycle gives “Chubsy” another chance and this time he is over . Try No two 12 – 0

Builth bounce back and this time line pressure pays off and they over in the corner 12 – 5.

So “you score one we score one “is today’s mantra. Steff Gibson picks up from broken play and in a lung bursting 45 yard run he is over , he also converts for a 19-5 lead. So is it Builth’s turn, yes it is ! Back on the home line and a smart line out move gives them their second try 19 – 10 .

Perhaps this is not going to be our day after all. You must be kidding, Lewis Cox is creating carnage in the visiting defence again and who is there to collect and drive over, Scott Gibson for his second of the day and a bonus point try. Brother Steff adds the conversion 26 – 10

Who is next, well Builth of course and the line beckons for their left wing no one in sight the line at his mercy. Well no one told centre Harvey James ,as with some “Usain Bolt “ acceleration he homed in on the winger with a laser like accuracy and saved a certain score.

Builth though were not to be denied and finished the half off with another successful attack and their third try and a breather for everyone 26-15 and more to come.

Second half off would it be as exciting as the first ? of course !  3 minutes in and the home lead is cut, a try and 26 – 20. Have we run out of steam? Not likely, the forwards are up for it, Greeno cajoling , our 2 young props Conrad Delfosse and Ben Jones looking fresh, Chris Gorvett imperiously making ground ball in hand and the wrecking ball Cox aided and abetted by replacement back rows Tom Lewis and David Harris made sure we were on the front foot. I think I also recall a cheeky clearance kick from Tom-try me at outside half- Downing!

It was only a matter of time before the pressure was to tell and the benefactor is that man again, Steff Gibson, this time maybe a little further to run but the legs are pumping, the muscles thrusting, the lungs are bursting but the result is the same. Try number 5 and an insurmountable lead 31 – 20 which looked even more secure as he popped over a penalty 34 – 20.

We are flying now and the crowd are enthused as Rob Green offers the prospect of try of the Season as he picks up a loose ball and pegs his ears back with the line in his sights, ball tucked tight, legs thrusting, like a comet blazing through the night. Could he make it, sadly not but a spectacle to behold none the less.

So a gentle stroll to victory was ours, Oh no it’s never that easy. Back they come and to be fair their fluidity is a pleasure to watch. They are on our line and 2 penalties later they are over. Their first conversion of the day brings the score to 34 – 27. Panic !!!!!!

But no we will see this out, we are in midfield no danger and the referee assessor standing next to me says 10 seconds to go and we are in an arm wrestle for the ball. We are not going to lose control here- but you guessed it -we did. A high tackle gives them a penalty and they are back in our 22. They win the line out but they are not passing. They cling to the ball like their lives depended on it. No passes, just raw determination. The clock ticked down—a nail-biting crescendo and a turnover sees justice prevail and the game is ours 34 – 27

What a game and what a win.

Man of the Match candidates all over the field today.

Aled Thomas, Lewis Cox, Harvey James, Scott Gibson

But the award goes to Steff Gibson.

Yet again though our efforts do not bring the comfort of Division one safety. Bridgend Athletic achieve a bonus point win against Skewen so the status quo prevails. Brynamman on Wednesday more important now than ever. Let’s get there and support the lads.