Fixture

Unbeaten Birchgrove lost that tag today as Morriston posted their first win of the season with a 30 -14 victory.

Biirchgrove without the whole of their regular Back row and also influential scrum half  Rob Scrines were soon in trouble as they conceded a penalty and Morriston full back Andrew Williams gave notice that he had brought his kicking boots with a well taken penalty 3 – 0..  Birchgrove were straight back on the attack but a long clearance took play back to the visiting 22 where some indiscipline spotted by the referee gave Williams the opportunity to increase the lead with his second penalty  6 – 0.

From the restart Birch looked to gain some territory but a kick from debutant No. 10  Jamie Sturgess was collected and returned with interest to put the home side back on the front foot. An attacking  scrum was to give  them the first try of the day as despite Birchgrove forward pressure their No 8 collected and deftly set up scrum half Gareth Thomas who was over in a flash for a try converted by Williams from the touch line 13 – 0.

Morriston now looked the more confident side playing with far more urgency and a higher tempo than the visitors. Even though Birchgrove were making every effort to get back in to the game with Ricky Rosser constantly probing and forward drives from  Tom Downing, Scott Beard and Kyl Thompson  a series of enforced errors and good home defence prevented progress as the sides turned around  13 – 0.

With the travelling fans looking a little shell shocked at this reversal and hoping for better things in the second half the home side started with an error giving Birchgrove the opportunity to get in to Morriston territory. The attack was short lived though as the home side took advantage of a handling mix up to storm upfield for try number two scored by Dexter Hadley and once again converted by Williams  20 -0.

As Rob Green and James Evans joined the fray  Birch at last started to put some pressure on the home eight and a number of solid scrums was to bring it’s reward. Having secured a foothold near the Morriston line a solid drive almost brought a first try for the visitors and Morriston were adjudged to have defended illegally. From the penalty scrum another powerful drive again brought an indiscretion leaving the referee with little option but to award a penalty try 20 -7.

Thinking this was the turn around the fans were again disappointed to see some hesitation in collecting the restart which immediately put pressure on Birchgrove eventually resulting in a home penalty. For once full back Williams was off target dragging the ball across the front of the posts but the alert follow up from Morriston allowed Richard Huxtable to collect and go over for try number three converted by Williams 27 – 7.

With their backs now really against the wall the league leaders produced their best period of play as the pack started to dominate and Adam Percival and Leigh Di’luilio showing far more dynamism behind. Again this was to bring it’s reward as the ball was worked through the phases and Lee Harris spotted a gap to go over for their second try which he also converted 27 – 14.

A far more respectable score line now and more assured play but unfortunately it looked as if the clock was going to beat any real chance of a resurgence and indeed as “thorn in the side” full back Andrew Williams put over his sixth kick of the day, a penalty, to increase the lead to  30- 14 the unbeaten record was conceded.

One of those days we have to say but we are better than the performance today as we still sit proudly at the Top of the Table. Regroup and on to Ystradgynlais  next Saturday at home kick off 2.30 and back to winning ways.