Fixture

Birchgrove continued their relentless journey towards promotion with a 6 try demolition of Cwmavon today. Taking the spoils with a 42 -17 victory was a good run out for the big one next week at Nantyfyllon which could in theory be the decider.

An almost perfect start nearly saw Josh Key get in for a try within minutes of the kick off only to be brought back for a forward pass. But any complacency was soon to be put to one side as a Cwmavon interception required drastic defensive action from Matthew Edwards to prevent the visitors going ahead against the run of play.

Normal service was soon resumed though as a solid forward performance gradually took the home side towards the line and it was the inevitable human wrecking ball Lewis Cox who found ball in hand and white line awaiting as he charged through for try number one, converted by Matthew Edwards 7 -0.

Cwmafon though belying their lowly league position were next on the score sheet as a penalty reduced the home lead to 7 – 3. Birch now commanding much of the territorial advantage were next to hit back as a Rob Scrine, Josh Key and Scott Beard move took them towards the opposition line. The breakdown was temporary as swift ball came to Adam Percival who with the deftest of touches handed on to Lee Harris who with another adroit touch put Josh Key in for try number two, converted again by Edwards  14 – 3.

Birch continued to dominate but that is not to decry the effort of Cwmavan who did their utmost to resist the wave of attacking options which were now being exercised by the home side. The next try was again ours as an audacious change of attacking direction found captain Scott Beard in position to feed the vibrant No 8  Josh Key who gratefully accepted his second try of the day  converted again by Matthew Edwards (Murphy) 21 -3

The remainder of the half in all honesty belonged to the plucky visitors who although being outmuscled, outrun and overpowered in all aspects of the game kept plugging away and they were well worth their first half consolation try and conversion to go in to half time at 21- 10

Cwmavon restarted with renewed vigour but were soon pegged back as Lee Harris once again showed enterprise in running out of a defensive position. From the resultant loose ball the bonus try was to come. As the ball bobbled about, vigorous centre Nathaniel Llewellyn found himself with ball in hand 40 yards out and a relatively unguarded line in his sights. Well it was his Birthday so “lets go for it “ having shrugged off three tacklers to secure the ball he set off on his journey “ nine defenders between him and the bonus point try he dodged left then right, a pirouette, a Macarena the like of never seen on Strictly and he was home under the posts  Whow ! (His words not mine after failing to down his Birthday cocktail in the Club and refusing to acknowledge the help of brother Callum to help things along). In reality one defender who he dutifully demolished Edwards again converting 28 -10

Birch were now firing on all cylinders again and the next try was a beauty too. After a number of assaults on the visitors line with combined forwards and back play, skilful handling and powerful running to the fore it was only the odd misfortune and Cwmavon fortitude that kept them out.  In fact it was an away attack that was the catalyst for the next score. A drive towards the home line was held up by the usual belligerent defence, the ball fell loose and Lee Harris hacked on. Mathew Edwards doing a good impression of Usain Bolt stormed out of the blocks chasing the cover defence and the ball for about 40 yards. Having outstripped the defenders he once again displayed his “coolness under fire” to dribble the ball over the line and touch down for a try which yes he did convert 35 – 10.

Was it over ?  Well it never is nowadays and even though the bonus was in the bag, the victory sealed and the game maybe lacking the intensity of last week’s battle there was still another try to come from the home side as pressure on Cwmavon’s line saw Rob Scrine bundled over for try number 6 and the best conversion of the day from a perfect 100% kicking performance from Matthew Edwards and a 17 point haul 42 – 10.

A deserved second half consolation was to come from Cwmavon to end the game 42 -17. Another splendid performance and I find myself almost embarrassed that I cannot mention every player by name who contributed to what was another all round team performance. Even Conor Gallivan a club stalwart who may not have been called upon for some time was on hand when needed to see the game out !

Next week the big one at Nantyfyllon where a win will in all but name lads assure us of a well earned promotion. Keep it going.

The Web site seems a bit frozen tonight but worth looking at the Try count in the Senior Stats when it opens up tomorrow I think Mr Llewellyn (N) and Mr Key  may be chasing down Mr Cox !! and Mr Edwards has edged ahead of Mr Rowlands in the Total points category !!