Fixture

Following on from last week’s heroics at Porthcawl, Birchgrove faced struggling Taibach at Parc Bedw today.

Starting with some enterprise the home side looked as if they meant business and could easily have scored twice as powerful runs from Josh Key and Lewis Cox were carried on with some nifty passing movements but they were thwarted by unfortunate handling errors on both occasions.

Having benefitted from these let offs the visiting side slowly got in to their stride and managed to dominate play to the extent that almost 15 of the first 20 minutes was played in the home half with the Birchgrove defence standing firm. It was no surprise though that following a couple of miss directed penalties Taibach took the lead  from the tee as Aaron Jones converted 0 – 3.

Shortly afterwards a break from the visiting 6  could easily have led to the first try of the game but for a timely try saving tackle from Nathaniel Llewellyn playing in an unaccustomed wing role. Birchgrove strived hard to get their rhythm going but despite strong running from Lewis Cox and Liam Richards were not really making any great inroads towards the visitors line and whilst a man down for a yellow card indiscretion fell further behind to a second successful penalty kick from Jones to turn a round 0 -6 in arrears at half time.

A more determined Birchgrove started the second half as Rowlands kicked for position and the home side at last gained a foothold in Taibach territory and Adam Percival and on permit co centre Joe Gage tested the Taibach defence. Adam Rowlands was unlucky when a long range penalty attempt hit the post but powerful probing from scrum half Rob Scrine gave the home side an attacking platform. A driving scrum  brought a home free kick and props Liam Richards and Callum Llewellyn combined to force the latter over for a his customary 50 yarder !, try, unconverted, 5 – 6.

Birchgrove now looked a far more settled outfit completing the basics with more ease and a fluid movement  involving  Rowlands, Joe Gage, Scott Beard, Adam Percival and Nathaniel Llewellyn almost brought the second try. A quickly recycled ball though allowed Scrine to flip the ball in to the path of Liam Richards approaching at break neck speed and nothing could stop the marauding prop going over for try number two and a  10 -6 lead.

Although still not playing at their flowing best Birchgrove extended their lead with an Adam Rowlands penalty and at 13 – 6 it looked as if the home side would now start a cruise to victory. The dogged Taibach side had other ideas though and it was they who were to register the next score with a third penalty kick from Craig Clement 13 – 9.

With time running out and the home side, although in control, unable to improve upon their score the final whistle brought a resigned  recognition that this was to be one of those days to accept a victory whilst not necessarily delivering the quality which the players and supporters know exists within this team. The classic mark of a successful side some would say !

Birchgrove remain unbeaten and second in the league five points ahead of rivals Porthcawl who suffered an unexpected 26 – 12 reversal at the hands of Pencoed and two points behind leaders Resolven who were successful at Morriston.

A rest from league action next week will see a WRU Plate visit from strong North Wales Division 1 outfit Pwlleli who sit second in their division with an undefeated five from five league victories.

Should be worth a look !

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