Fixture

After two sterling Cup victories Birchgrove had to suffer the disappointment of defeat for the first time this season losing 7-6 to local rivals Vardre today.

With confidence running high in the Club a strong Birchgrove side travelled to the Vardre with high hopes of following up recent cup victories with success in the league.

The first ten minutes of this local derby were spent in typical fashion as both sides tested each other up front with the occasional spark of enterprise behind with neither side really threatening the opposition’s line. On the side lines though you were getting the impression the home scrum were starting to boss things and a period of Vardre pressure gave them first opportunity to worry the scorer but a penalty attempt fell just short.

Birch continued to battle valiantly and defend well and a relieving Liam Garland kick put them on the front foot in the opposition 22. The home line out did not go according to plan and Josh Key at the tail gratefully accepted a bouncing ball to get Ricky Rosser, Wayne Mcfenton and Luke Williams all testing the midfield defence. From the resultant ruck Vardre conceded a penalty which Liam Garland converted 0- 3

A stunned home side immediately set about trying to restore their advantage and were quickly once more encamped upon the visitor’s line. Resolute defence which has been the Birchgrove trade mark recently was soon in evidence with the usual vigour of Liam Richards, Tom Downing, Kyle Evans and Adam Percival very much in evidence. A succession of surges to the line though eventually stretched the visiting defence once too often and it was breached on 30 minutes to allow a converted try. 7 - 3

Birchgrove though bounced back with their best sustained attacking period of the half as they looked for a psychological score before half time. Despite a sterling forward effort and sorties from Ricky Rosser, Lee Jones and Jordon Williams behind, the Vardre line could not be breached and the referee brought the half to a close with the home side again looking to exert some pressure.

Vardre were straight back on the offensive after the break but the visiting defence stayed strong. Scott Hills replaced Dan Humphreys at tight head but his stay was short lived as his infamous knee gave way once again but Birch were now showing some fight and putting pressure on the Vardre line only for some indiscipline to allow the home side relief.

The counter offensive continued with Kyle Evans ripping the ball from a Vardre maul to set up a running attack through Darren Poland, Adam Percival and Luke Bowen. Vardre were forced to defend desperately and Ritchie Beynon was unlucky not to claim a try being forced in to touch with the line in sight.

Birch were now maintaining their foothold in the opposition half and it looked as if the result could be salvaged as Jordon Williams, Josh Key, Ricky Rosser, Captain Luke Williams and Luke Beynon all tried to force things forward. The pressure resulted in a penalty kick for the visitors which was successfully converted by Liam Garland 7 – 6     Game on !!

Birchgrove now scented another score and with the forwards picking up their game they secured another penalty which was unsuccessful. The pressure prevailed though but the home defence was stubborn and tenacious even when giving up a defensive scrum near their own line.

 As the minutes ticked away the Birchgrove pack won phase after phase but the clock had the final say and a loose ball gave Vardre the opportunity to clear the ball off the park taking the game and the visitor’s unbeaten record with it.

No games now until the 20^th of February when we have a difficult home game against Bridgend Sports.

After two sterling Cup victories Birchgrove had to suffer the disappointment of defeat for the first time this season losing 7-6 to local rivals Vardre today.

With confidence running high in the Club a strong Birchgrove side travelled to the Vardre with high hopes of following up recent cup victories with success in the league.

The first ten minutes of this local derby were spent in typical fashion as both sides tested each other up front with the occasional spark of enterprise behind with neither side really threatening the opposition’s line. On the side lines though you were getting the impression the home scrum were starting to boss things and a period of Vardre pressure gave them first opportunity to worry the scorer but a penalty attempt fell just short.

Birch continued to battle valiantly and defend well and a relieving Liam Garland kick put them on the front foot in the opposition 22. The home line out did not go according to plan and Josh Key at the tail gratefully accepted a bouncing ball to get Ricky Rosser, Wayne Mcfenton and Luke Williams all testing the midfield defence. From the resultant ruck Vardre conceded a penalty which Liam Garland converted 0- 3

A stunned home side immediately set about trying to restore their advantage and were quickly once more encamped upon the visitor’s line. Resolute defence which has been the Birchgrove trade mark recently was soon in evidence with the usual vigour of Liam Richards, Tom Downing, Kyle Evans and Adam Percival very much in evidence. A succession of surges to the line though eventually stretched the visiting defence once too often and it was breached on 30 minutes to allow a converted try. 7 - 3

Birchgrove though bounced back with their best sustained attacking period of the half as they looked for a psychological score before half time. Despite a sterling forward effort and sorties from Ricky Rosser, Lee Jones and Jordon Williams behind, the Vardre line could not be breached and the referee brought the half to a close with the home side again looking to exert some pressure.

Vardre were straight back on the offensive after the break but the visiting defence stayed strong. Scott Hills replaced Dan Humphreys at tight head but his stay was short lived as his infamous knee gave way once again but Birch were now showing some fight and putting pressure on the Vardre line only for some indiscipline to allow the home side relief.

The counter offensive continued with Kyle Evans ripping the ball from a Vardre maul to set up a running attack through Darren Poland, Adam Percival and Luke Bowen. Vardre were forced to defend desperately and Ritchie Beynon was unlucky not to claim a try being forced in to touch with the line in sight.

Birch were now maintaining their foothold in the opposition half and it looked as if the result could be salvaged as Jordon Williams, Josh Key, Ricky Rosser, Captain Luke Williams and Luke Beynon all tried to force things forward. The pressure resulted in a penalty kick for the visitors which was successfully converted by Liam Garland 7 – 6     Game on !!

Birchgrove now scented another score and with the forwards picking up their game they secured another penalty which was unsuccessful. The pressure prevailed though but the home defence was stubborn and tenacious even when giving up a defensive scrum near their own line.

 As the minutes ticked away the Birchgrove pack won phase after phase but the clock had the final say and a loose ball gave Vardre the opportunity to clear the ball off the park taking the game and the visitor’s unbeaten record with it.

No games now until the 20^th of February when we have a difficult home game against Bridgend Sports.