Fixture

It was a chastening experience at Parc Bedw tonight as we welcomed top of the table Tondu and were on the wrong end of an eight converted try fest with the visitors running out 0-56 winners

With some of our regulars missing, the writing was on the wall quite early as the powerful running of the Tondu backs quickly set the score board running 0 - 7 . Birch tried valiantly to get back in to the game with Rob Green, Conrad Delfosse, Chris Gorvett , Liam Richards and Tom Downing doing their best up front to slow things down and even make inroads in to the home defence..

The pace and handling speed of the opposition was outstanding though and time after time they surged forward to get over the line and secure their four try bonus point before half time. A faultless kicking performance by the visiting 10 left Birch 0 -28 in arrears at the turn around.

The second half brought more of the same despite the home side not yielding in effort with scrum half Aled Thomas and Hanno Dirksen battling bravely to tidy up the very limited amount of ball coming our way mainly from the line out collaboration of Conor Gallivan and Chris Gorvett . Steff Gibson and Jordan Burrows tried hard to break out on the counter attack and Tom Wright following his bullocking performance on Saturday even trying a deft backhand offload to try get things moving. 

The Tondu speed and control was monotonously effective though and the Waterwheelers were ruthless in their execution , running in a further four tries to take the score to 0 -56.

Birch to their credit did not give in and can be proud of the fact that although operating with 14 men for the majority of the game they dug in towards the end  to disrupt the Tondu power game and almost sneak a couple of consolation scores. A special well done to Coach R J Di’uilio forced in to action in what was an inspirational second half  Cameo appearance which was surely worth an honorary Man of the Match award.

It was not our night though, well beaten by a well organised, powerful outfit high on confidence and looking like championship contenders.

Unfortunately our safety from relegation was also undermined tonight as fellow strugglers Brynamman pulled off a shock bonus point victory at Morriston taking them 1 point ahead of us. Our visit to Brynamman next Wednesday is now critical to our survival. Before that we entertain Builth Wells at Parc Bedw Sat 20th April.

See you there.