Fixture

A lively  Top of the Table contest at Parc Bedw today resulted in Birchgrove taking Resolven’s unbeaten record with a dazzling hard fought 26. 20 victory

This long awaited contest started with Birchgrove in the ascendancy and No 10 Steff Rees, standing in for the injured Adam Rowlands, put the home side in front with a penalty after some forward pressure 3 – 0.

Resolven though, as befitting a side who had not lost this season, were quick to hit back. After a number of midfield skirmishes which suggested that the visitors were going to be anything but a roll over they took the lead with a spectacular try. Birchgrove were forced to defend their line and a Steff Rees clearance was collected by Resolven’s Richard Carter near the half way line. Carter, a past Aberavon top try scorer, set off on a mazy run to the line which saw him dodge the home defence for the first try of the game converted by Owen Evans 3 – 7

Birchgrove battled hard to get back in to the game with forwards Josh Key, Scott Beard  Tom Downing and Callum Llewellyn leading the charge up front and the dependable defence of centre partnership Adam Percival and Nathaniel Llewellyn  and rugged scrum half Rob Scrine preventing the Resolven attack from breaching their defensive lines.

It was an indiscretion of their own making though that put the home side further behind as a well performing tight scrum was penalised giving Resolven an opportunity to gain a foothold near the home line and although the first line of attack was repelled the second phase of play saw Joel Healey go in for try number two converted again by Owen Evans 3 -14.

A home penalty from Steff Rees followed by a  further penalty from Evans was the final action of the first half and Resolven took their half time break with their tails up at  6-17 and  along with their supporters in confident mood. !

A visibly more determined home side started the second half though with Josh Key taking the restart and making ground with a powerful rush forward and offload to Jordan Williams.. From the ensuing scrum Birchgrove were on the attack and a penalty put them nicely placed in the opposition 22. Flanker Luke Myatt carried strongly towards the Resolven line, well supported by Scott Beard , Kyl Thompson and hooker Joseph Davies and although the visitors showed strength in defence they could not suppress the second forward surge which drove Josh Key over for Birchgrove’s  first try 11 -17.

The home side were now in more confident mood and looking to put pressure on the visitors from forward and back combinations and it was not a surprise to see their efforts bear fruit as Scott Beard and  Adam Percival combined to offer replacement back row forward  Lewis Cox a powerful run at the line for try number two 16 – 17 . Game On !

Resolven, now desperate to steady the ship were next to score as they took advantage of a penalty award and Evans slotted over his second of the day 16 -20. Birchgrove though remained resolute and you got the feeling that a victory was still in their grasp as Lee Harris who had been showing signs of his early season form in open play coolly slotted over a penalty to reduce the gap to just one point at 19 – 20.

The quality, fitness and determination of the home side was now showing through and Lee Harris and Leigh Di’uilio combined to take the side back toward the visitors line. Another great forward supporting effort brought a penalty and Birchgrove were in a forward attacking position with confidence brimming. Skipper Beard was once again a safe pair of hands in the line out and the pack as one drove on to give Rob Scrine an opportunity to touch down for try number three sweetly converted by Lee Harris and at 26 – 20 gave the home side a dominant 20 points to 3 second half tally.

With the home side now rampant and the clock running down the referee brought proceedings to a close with Birchgrove having performed exceptionally well, especially in the second half,  to take the visitors 100% record  and a well deserved 26 – 20 victory.

A great result, a great game fought out between two very good sides. Resolven stay top of the Table on 36 points but Birch narrow the gap to three points with a game in hand.

It’s Cwmavon away next,  Saturday 1^st December ko 2.30pm