Fixture

Birch took the spoils 28-29 at Ystradgynlais tonight in a tense and gripping game

Both teams exchanged penalties early on in even exchanges before Ystrad  scored from a quick tap leaving the game finely balanced at half time 10-9,  More bad news then followed when the Birch linesman (he has asked to remain anonymous) pulled up lame, he is apparently doing well and last seen on a Madri intravenous drip in the Clubhouse and we wish him well.  ,

But, back to the game and what was in store was more than enough to take the chill out of the evening. Birch started the second period strongly with more penalties being exchanged  13-12. But it was Ystrad  who then orchestrated their second try 18-12 before Steff Gibson again kept us in the game 18 – 15.

Ystrad responded in kind 21 -15 was it slipping away, well not if Josh Key, making another come back from injury ,had anything to do with it. The comeback kid was to make his mark on the game with a lung bursting step and run from 40 yards scoring under the posts Gibson added the afters and Birch get their noses ahead 21-22. Fine contribution from Keysy but soon he was at it again running hard just held up on line. Ystrad then took out Scott Gibson off the ball  and a penalty try put us in the driving seat 21-29.

A shaken Ystrad bounced back straining every sinew to get back in the game and forced another converted touchdown 28- 29.

But this was to be the night for the travelling heros as the minutes whittled away and Birch dug deep it was to be their hard-fought win and a vital four points to take us above Bridgend Athletic and Brynamman in the quest for safety at the foot of the Table.

Man of the Match, well Steff Gibson with 17 points from his boot must have a mention in despatches but for his all-round excellence in attack and defence plus a wonder try the award goes to Josh Key.

Away to Morriston next on Saturday 2.30 where another win will put more daylight between us and our two rivals in the table basement.