Fixture

After the highs of back-to-back wins things came to a shuddering halt at Bridgend today as the Athletic ran out 37 – 10 winners against Birchgrove.

On a heavy pitch which was never going to lend itself to the high tempo game we have seen from Birch in the last two games, the Athletic took an early penalty kick lead 3 – 0. Birch though looked to bounce back but a speculative long pass gave the opposition wing an interception opportunity which was hammered home with a long-range run in and conversion 10 – 0

A Herbert penalty hit the post before a home penalty made the score 13 – 0 and it was almost 30 minutes in to the game before Birch really got a foothold in the opposition 22. The initial onslaught failed with a misguided line out but the visitors maintained their pressure and a sweeping move involving Scott Gibson, Adam Percival and Lewis Cox ended with supporting full back Steff Gibson accepting the pop-up ball and going over for an unconverted try 13 – 5.

A further home penalty brought a lacklustre half to a close at 16 -5

After a dressing down reminiscent of the last visit to the Newbridge Fields Birch came out fighting in the second half. After a number of aggressive forward drives the opposition line was in sight and second row Tom Wright was unlucky to lose control of the ball going over the line in what was a critical turning point in the game.

What potentially could have been a 16 – 12 manageable four-point deficit was cruelly turned in to an almost insurmountable 23 – 5 reversal as from the restart a dubious pick up by the home left wing left him a pretty clear run in for the home side’s second converted try. Worse was to come as the visiting demonstrative protest that the runner may have been illegally placed for the restart was interpreted by the referee as dissent and a second Birchgrove player joined one who was already enjoying a 10 minute respite.

Taking advantage of the unfortunate situation the visitors found themselves in, the Athletic were to add a further try and conversion 30 – 5.

But now, to their credit, and as we have seen from this group before sometimes the antidote to adversity is dogged resistance and the visiting team upped their game considerably. A stream of driving attacks on the home defence bravely led by Liam Richards, Chris Gorvett and backs Aled Thomas and Adam Percival brought a number of penalties. With the home side now opting for a Tap and Go strategy the home defence was being consistently stretched.

This persistence was finally rewarded with Aled Thomas gratefully accepting a loose home line out throw, action man Tom Lewis carried the ball on, Leigh Di’uilio and Adam Percival made further ground before Steff Gibson was on hand once more to go over for his and the Birch second try, unconverted 30 -10.

Further pressure was to be brought on the home defence but having withstood it they were able to finish their day with a bonus try and a handsome 37 – 10 victory.

Not a great day at the office for Birch not helped many would say by the pedantic efforts of an inconsistent performance from the referee but a second half of grit and determination is the positive to be taken from the game.

Man of the match candidates who expressed these qualities throughout were

Aled Thomas

Liam Richards

Lewis Cox

Adam Percival

Steff Gibson

The award goes to Liam Richards, probably overdue, for his all-action resolve in taking the game to the opposition and not taking a backward step

Next week, second round of the Cup against Mid Wales side COBRA see you there.