Fixture

A bonus point 18-32 victory at Cwmgwrach takes Birch into second place in league.

Birch travelled to Cwmgwrach today knowing that a bonus point victory was necessary to maintain their push for top spot in the league and they delivered the goods with a five try performance. Birch came out of the blocks with a spring in their step with an obvious intent to move the opposition around.

A shrewd tactical kick from Liam Garland after 10 minutes gave the visitors good field position and after disrupting the home line out the ball was spun along the line to the aggressive and strong running wing Lee Jones who went over for the first try, unconverted 0 -5.

Cwmgwrach were soon hitting back though with a successful long range penalty kick from their scrum half 3-5. But the Birch backs were quick to respond as a Luke Beynon break was carried on by Nathan Jones who neatly offloaded to Josh Key to go over for try number two  3-10.

Cwmgwrach were now exerting a bit of scrum pressure and enjoyed some front foot rugby but the visiting scramble defence was up to it with Adam Percival to the fore with a display of  chop tackling that Dan Lydiate would have been proud of and Kyle Evans a complete menace to the home side in the loose. As a result the home side were dependent upon their long range kicker for respite and he again came up trumps with a second successful kick 6- 10 before Liam Garland responded with his own kick to take the game to half time 6-13.

Birch started the second half with more attacking intent with Percival,  Wayne Mc Fenton and Ricky Rosser all choosing to run loose ball back at the opposition. It was not long before dividends were reaped. A line out provided the platform for a backs move supported by Luke Williams and Kyle Evans to put wing Luke Beynon over in the corner for a try converted by Liam Garland 6 – 20.

With the bonus try now in their sights Birch were prepared to attack from anywhere but the inevitable   bit of loose play and home forward pressure was giving Cwmgwrach counter attacking opportunities where their half back combination were looking particularly threatening.  After a spate of forward exchanges though it was the visitors who were to hammer home the advantage. A strong run from the impressive Lee Jones had the home defence in trouble and the ever alert Josh Key was on his shoulder to cross for the bonus 6 -25.

Jones was again involved in the move for try number five offloading neatly to centre Wayne Mcfenton who in turn deftly slipped the ball on to Kyle Evans who was in near the corner for a try converted by Garland. At 6 -32 with about ten minutes on the clock you would think job done !

Cwmgwrach though had other ideas and they were not intent on rolling over just yet as they bounced back with a converted try 13-32 and a further try to provide some consolation just before the final whistle to finish off the game 18-32.

An all-round good effort today with forwards and backs showing great commitment to the cause.

A crucial game next week as top of the table Glais are the visitors to Parc Bedw.