Fixture

Birchgrove saw their interest in the SWALEC Cup Competition end today following a comprehensive 5- 39 defeat by a strong Abercarn side.

Gwent side Abercarn came to Parc Bedw with a formidable league track record of played nine won nine and a previous round 45 -5  routing of Penygraig. It was no surprise therefore that they started the game in confident style and set the tone for much of the game with a succession of strong set scrummages leading to pressure on the home line.

The valiant and aggressive defence, now becoming a trademark of the home side, did well to withstand the early onslaught. Despite the best efforts of a retreating home pack and sterling defence from the midfield duo of Jordon Williams and Adam Percival backed up by Rickie Rosser at full back the line was breached after 10 minutes with the first converted try 0-7.

To their credit the home side made valiant efforts to build their game using speedy counter attack to combat the brute force battle which it was now evident we could not win. With ball in hand, although a rarity,  the probing of Nathan Jones and Liam Garland at half back was bringing the best out of the home back line.  Fleet footed wings Luke Beynon and Lee Jones were making some in roads towards the away line but the final hurdle was proving one step too far. As the visitors regrouped once more the next score was theirs, a penalty from their assured outside half  0 -10.

On the line,  although the visitors had territorial and possession advantage the enterprising counter attack was giving the home supporters some crumb of comfort. It was not wholly surprising therefore when a fortuitous bouncing ball left Adam Percival with the opportunity to offload to Ricky Rosser, Luke Beynon was on hand to carry on the move and the supporting Nathan Jones strode  over for an unconverted try   5 -10.

Reaching half time  at this score would have been a bonus but the visitors juggernaught pack had different ideas as once more they launched an assault on  the home line. The whitewash was soon breached only for the honesty of the visiting linesman to cancel out the try. Pressure was to tell though and a surging drive gave Abercarn try number two once again converted by their 10 to take them in  5-17 in the lead.

The second half was to prove much of the same although a succession of fresh forward legs for the exceptionally hard working Dan Humphreys, Connor Gallivan and Chris Grimes gave occasional respite but the counter attack remained the home sides best hope of a score. It was the visitors though who once again were first to get the scoreboard going with a well worked try encompassing forwards and backs and the reliable kick put them 5-24 ahead.

Again to their credit , Birch kept battling away, veteran Dai Cullen, second rows Tom Downing and Luke Williams  and newly introduced Liam Richards making some regular and energetic inroads in to the heart of the visiting defence. An unlucky high tackle call against Liam Garland was to result in the next score as the metronomic 10 once again swept the ball through the posts 5 – 27.

With only pride to play for now Birch almost delivered with an inventive exchange involving Liam Garland, Ricky Rosser and Nathan Jones twice before Jones was bundled in to touch in the corner. With the clock running down and some tired bodies in the home ranks this turned out to be the last show of defiance as the visitors ran in two late tries, one converted to finish handsome winners 5 – 39.

No disgrace to lose to a well drilled and accomplished outfit and we wish them well in their continuing journey to the Principality Stadium. For the home side the old cliché “lets concentrate on the league” sounds good to me and that journey continues at home against Alltwen next Saturday 5^th March kick off 2.30