Fixture

After successive victories over Skewen and Nantyfyllon, Birchgrove headed to Kenfig Hill today with a strong team and full of confidence.

A good start brought two early penalties for the visitors, the second of which was converted by Matthew Edwards to put the Robins  0 – 3 after five minutes play.

Kenfig ,driven on by vocal home support ,were soon back on the attack  however and only a desperate Charlie Randall tackle kept them at bay before a tackle adjudged high by the Referee presented them with an opportunity to equalise. No 10 Luke Griffiths obliged 3 – 3.

The game was refusing to open up as a result of dogged close first line defence from both sides and with play mainly being held between the two 22 metre lines it was looking as if this was likely to become a battle of the boots. It was no surprise therefore when Matthew Edwards was called upon once again on fifteen minutes and dutifully increased the visitors lead to 3 -6.

With Kenfig gamely looking to get back in to the game through aggressive scrum and disruptive line out activity it was only enthusiastic defence from workhorse Leigh Di’iuilo, Jake Randall and Lee Purnell keeping the away line secure. The red line eventually was to succumb though and Griffiths levelled with his second penalty 6 – 6 before the boot of Edwards was again successful to bring an ugly first half to a close 6 – 9.

With the travelling faithful hoping for better fare in the second half optimism was raised as the Robins secured a promising position through a 5 yard attacking scrum but threw the opportunity away with a scrum indiscretion. It was Kenfig who were then to take up the initiative and work their way up field to once again threaten the away line. More defensive bravery was on show but on this occasion home Scrum Half Tom Briggs was able to snipe over for the games first try, converted by Griffiths and the Mules were ahead 13 – 9.

Birch looked to battle back and with fresh legs on set about the task again of trying to obtain a foothold in the home 22 which they managed to do from an Edwards grubber kick but not before Griffiths had put them further behind with a Penalty 16 – 9. Once again though a golden attacking opportunity was squandered as the referee who was being anything but helpful to the cause called a home penalty.

Kenfig were now looking the stronger of two teams who both continued to struggle to create any real continuity as the game fizzled out with the home side taking the spoils. 16 – 9

A difficult game and not a Classic by any means but we regroup for next week’s  Division 1 Cup game against Brynamman at home in the knowledge that a win can give us unbeaten passage in to the knockout stages.

This week’s Man of the Match candidates from the Panel , selected mainly for all round effort and tenacity  were :-

Liam Richards

Leigh Di’iulio

Jake Randall

The Man of the Match was Leigh Di’iulio