Fixture

Birchgrove took the spoils in the top of the table clash with neighbours and championship rivals Glais 23 -13 at Parc Bedw today.

The biggest crowd of the season witnessed a pulsating Derby clash today with both sides knowing that points were vital to continue their quest for the Championship.

The opening exchanges were, as you would expect, cagey with the set scrum testing the patience of the referee on a number of occasions. With no particular decisive activity from either side it was left to the boot to register the first points after ten minutes as home No. 10 Lee Evans converted  a long range penalty 3- 0

Glais were quick to strike back though as they exerted some scrum and territorial pressure on the home side to secure the first touchdown of the game 3 -5. On the back of this success Glais were playing with some confidence and the home side were called upon to successfully defend their territory as they have done with some aplomb all season. A Penalty award though gave the visitors an opportunity to increase their lead 3-8.

The game continued to be played at a fast pace but frustratingly was being interspersed with sometimes unwarranted referee intervention and the perhaps overzealous use of the yellow card . Birchgrove stuck to their guns though and as half time approached were unlucky not to at least draw level as a forward drive allowed Nathan Jones an opportunity to break for the line, his offload to Tom Downing saw the second row over the line but held up by the Glais cover defence

But reward was not far away as following more forward “argy bargy “ Birchgrove were granted a penalty which Lee Evans again converted to keep the game on a knife edge at half time  6 - 8.

The second half started with a bang.  Skipper Luke Williams showed great determination to claim the ball from the kick off and was supported by his hungry pack. Nathan Jones was on hand to feed to Adam Percival and energetic Prop Liam Richards was able to carry the move forward. Jones again got his hands on the ball and with Tom Downing following up like an express train there was nothing the visiting defence could do to stop him thundering over for a try converted by Lee Evans to take a 13 – 8 lead.

With scrums temporarily passive the home “purple patch” continued and Birchgrove were now putting on all the pressure.  With flankers Kyle Evans and Chris Grimes also providing a steady flow of line out ball the home backs were happy to test the visiting midfield cover and aggressive running from Lee Jones, Jordon Williams Wayne Mc Fenton and Adam Percival was giving the home crowd a good deal of optimism.

 It was from a forward move though that the next score came, a successful line out and drive saw the ball so well protected by a home cohesive pack that the Glais defence didn’t seem to realise that sleight of hand had released the ball to Nathan Jones who was able to sneak in untouched almost under the post making it a relatively easy conversion for Lee Evans and a 20 – 8 commanding lead.

As you would expect from a side which has enjoyed consistent success this year Glais were not about to “roll over” and they fought hard to get back on terms. The counter attack from their No 15 had been in evidence for most of the day but the dependable home defence, with Adam Percival and Josh Key again showing up well on the tackle front,  had been up to the task of controlling it. For once though the full back was able to make a clear half break and set off his inside centre on what looked like a try scoring run. Jordon Williams stretched every sinew to arrest the problem just short of the line, but the Glais cavalry following up were able to secure the ball and get over for their second unconverted try 20 – 13 and put them at least in sight of a losing bonus point.

That cushion was soon to disappear though as the game proceeded at break neck pace and Lee Evans was again successful with his third penalty of the day and a restoration of the ten point gap at 23 -13.

Going in to the last ten minutes or so of the game the advantage was to swing from one side to the other with Glais determined to go for the victory rather than settle for the bonus point on offer from a number of kickable penalty opportunities. The Birchgrove defence was again remaining steadfast though dealing admirably with each challenge and consistently clearing their lines and driving the marauding Glais forwards back to a safe distance and running the clock down for a magnificent and well deserved 23 – 13 victory. Congratulations to everyone involved

With three games to go for Birchgrove and only one for Glais the Championship Title success lies in our own hands as victory from all three games will give us an insurmountable total of at least 72 points whilst their maximum can only be 71 points.

So plenty to do yet and it is Rhigos up next on Wednesday at home 7.00 kick off.