Fixture

A thirty minute exhibition of strength energy and fluency from the Birchgrove team at the start of this top of the table clash laid the foundation for a memorable 15 - 10 victory over top of the table rivals Taibach.

Birch took the short journey along the M4 to Taibach with a strong team to take on a side that with the exception of last week’s reversal against Nantyfyllon have been trail blazers for the season.

The visitors were immediately in to their stride shocking Taibach with a strong scrum and some excellent loose work with the dynamism and physicality of R. J. D’ilulio, Rob Green, Tom Downing and Josh Key taking the wind out of the opposition and forcing them in to misguided kicking options to relieve the pressure.

It was not long before the pressure told and after some mesmerising forward and backs linking with the incisive running of Kyle Evans creating midfield havoc Birch found themselves within 5 yards of the home line. A quick recycle and Ricky Rosser was on hand with another snipping try 0- 5. Nick Fisher added the afters 0- 7.

Birch kept the pressure on and although Taibach tried to break out of the stranglehold Adam Percival, Jordan Williams and Co were right in their faces in defence. Luke Beynon with some deft touches was adding to the home misery and when Scott Beard linked to set off on another charge to the line a penalty award gave Nick Fisher the opportunity to increase the lead to 0-10.

The visitors were now right up for it and the much vaunted Taibach machine was spluttering. Another Fisher instigated break out from a poor home kick had the backs running at all sorts of angles. Kyle Evans provided another few seconds of organised chaos , the back row kept up the momentum and Fisher was on hand to pass on to Jordan Williams for try number two  0- 15.

Breathless stuff and although the pace was taking its toll on the opposition it was a bit too much to expect the same level of play from Birch and leading to half time the home side forwards took the initiative and tried a battering ram approach which although insufficient to breach the line at least arrested the visitors progress. Half Time 0- 15 and with the home side playing downhill in to their usually favoured left hand touch line bunker this game may not have been over !

As expected Taibach kicked off with some intent to chip away at their deficit but surprisingly took on a forward assault rather than what most had expected, a position and drive strategy !. In any event things temporarily looked as if they were going their way and when Birchgrove were penalised for holding on at a ruck the first home points were registered a penalty 3 – 15.

Birch though were still trying to open up at any opportunity and a good Liam Garland instigated move was brought to an abrupt end as Nick Fisher’s little chip was smothered by the home defence. Another opportunity to increase the lead also fell on stony ground as Fisher unusally pulled a kick at goal.

Taibach maintained the forward approach and although it seemed to be going nowhere it looked like they were starting to get a little “ rub of the green” a knock on advantage here, a penalty advantage there and they soon found themselves in an attacking position in the Birch 22.  As is the way when the luck is running with you what looked like a manageable attack was turned in to a golden opportunity as an uncommon Birch defensive lapse let in a home prop for a bit of a “sucker “ touch down which with the conversion changed the whole look of the game at 10 -15.

With a squeaky bum ten minutes to the final whistle Birchgrove needed to show the resolve required to close these games out and a will to win. To a man they did not let the supporters or themselves down. Even at the death with a massive scrum required to prevent the home side maintaining the advantage and taking the game in to added time they delivered and as Rob Green lobbed the ball in to touch from a well-earned penalty the referee brought things to a close.

A great win which now puts us firmly in the mix. Nantyfyllon and Swansea Uplands still have their games in hand but their close run victories today may suggest that they too are feeling the pressure so it’s all to go for. If we keep winning they have to catch us.

Well done lads. !!