Fixture

For a team that has moved almost seamlessly through the gears of Division 3 and Division 2 and arrived at the heady heights of the First Division with only a handful of reversals defeat is hard to swallow.

But defeat it was at Waunarlwydd today as the home side triumphed 26.19 and the Birchgrove players will know that it was not their finest day but I am sure will learn from the experience and rise again to successfully face the sterling challenges that await them in this league.

Very much like last week’s encounter the early exchanges were positive for the visiting team and within five minutes of kick off we were in the lead. The boundless energy of flanker Lewis Cox in his first start of the year turned an almost defensive position in to a marauding attack within 20 metres of the opposition line. Adam Percival was on hand to keep the recycled ball moving and on permit wing Liam Hutchings was over for the first try converted by Matthew Edwards 0 -7.

With the set scrum and line out looking solid a further Edwards score from a penalty took the visitors lead to 0 -10 before the home side hit  back with a text book catch and drive try after their controlling No 10 had put them in to attacking territory. With the conversion added, 7 -10 looked a different game and a further two penalties with the added disadvantage of a Birchgrove yellow card brought the home side back in to the game and looking confident at 13 -10

Birch though were striving to get their game together but may have been guilty of taking the muscular option once too often when utilising the quality of our superior backs may have been a more productive route and on the day things were not going our way. It was Waunarlwydd who finished the first half stronger despite a further Edwards penalty to equal the scores. A third Waunarlwydd successful penalty sent the game in to half time with the home side deservedly 16 - 13 in front.

From the kick off Birchgrove tried to re-stablish some dominance but despite creating some territorial advantage were unable to break down the home defence. With personnel changes to freshen things up a Matthew Edwards penalty evened things up 16 - 16 and the travelling supporters thought that maybe we were back on track.

Reality soon took over again though as after yet another transgression by the visitors the home 10 playing the advantage sent over an audacious 25 yard drop goal to restore the lead 19 - 16.

Chasing the game and the next score now Birch battled away valiantly to get position but at each breakdown were hammered back in to their own half by the siege gun kicking of the home 10 and the growing confidence of the home backs.

It seemed inevitable that at some stage the defensive pressures were going to prove too much and with Birch again temporarily reduced to 14 men the home side established a solid attacking platform to gain their second and decisive try and with the conversion a 10 point cushion at 26 -16.

It was left to a consolation penalty from Matthew Edwards to bring some solace to the visitors to secure a losing bonus point in the final minutes with a full time score 26 - 19.

So a first defeat of the new campaign. Some work to do but let’s regroup and be ready to go against Bridgend Athletic at home next week