Fixture

Birchgrove suffered the most cruel of defeats against Penclawdd in the Semi Final of the West Wales Cup at Dunvant last night going down 12 -14.

Birchgrove started like a train and a Penclawdd knock on from the kick off allowed the Birchgrove forwards to swarm forward. Two set scrums set the seal for the night as the Penclawdd pack was pushed back and a forward drive gave Birch the lead as Rob Green was propelled over and Matthew Edwards converted 7 -0.

Penclawdd, a strong outfit outside of the tight scrum bounced back with some swift counter attacking and slick offloads and they were rewarded with an unconverted try 7 -5  closely followed by a penalty which put them in the ascendancy at 7 -8.

The North Gower side looked to build on their lead as the game progressed but Birchgrove defence was strong and the intricate patterns from Penclawdd were to become their undoing as confusion allowed Birchgrove to collect possession and race upfield. A number of quick ball phases and try number two went to Matthew Edwards, unconverted and at half time the game was there to be won at 12 -8

The second half kicked off with Birchgrove taking up the attacking mantle and on a number of occasions the Penclawdd side were forced to defend fearlessly which to their credit they did. Time after time the Birchgrove forwards were either putting their opposite eight under extreme pressure whilst the backs tried everything to break the deadlock. With the Penclawdd pack in retreat for the entire night the faithful were questioning the low penalty count in their favour but you felt the score would come.

Even when reduced to 13 men Birch still looked the more likely victors in this struggle as they prevented their opponents taking advantage of numerical superiority. The inability to capitalise on the possession and territory was to prove fatal for them though as with only minutes on the clock Penclawdd were to break the stranglehold and get a foothold in the Birchgrove half.

The sickening shrill blast of the referee’s whistle with seconds to go after Birchgrove had failed to get the ball in to the safety of the stand brought a grave discussion between referee and linesman which seemed endless. The result was a penalty to Birchgrove harshly reversed for retaliation for what can only be described as a multiple assault on a Birchgrove player.

The crowd was hushed as the Penclawdd full back stepped up for what would be a match winning score and as the ball sailed between the post the Gower Men celebrated whilst Birchgrove  fell disappointed that chances had not been taken.

But it’s only a game Boys. Beat Resolven next week and the bigger prize of Promotion is very much a reality.

Heads up and go for it.