Fixture

Although missing a number of influential players through injury Birchgrove completed a four try 32-13 bonus point win today at home to Pencoed.

It took only three minutes for the home side to register the first points as Rob Green and Liam Richards drove strongly in to the visiting defence and as the ball was recycled Chris Weightman popped up on the wrong wing to go over for try number one, unconverted 5 – 0.

Pencoed though were quick to bounce back as they attempted to put a number of back movements together and their No 10 Rhys Clarke was able to pull back the deficit with a well struck penalty 5 - 3

Despite some powerful running especially from Number 8  Lewis Cox and debut making hooker Joe Davies, the home side were not having things all their own way and needed a well taken long range penalty from influential No 10 Adam Rowlands to increase their lead against the wind 8 -3.

It would be fair to say at this stage that the home side were lacking some of the fluidity seen in previous games this season but still looked the most likely side to score and after aTom Downing win at the lineout the combination of Rob Scrine and Adam Rowlands were able to make inroads in to the visiting defence. Lively open side Luke Myatt carried on the move and from the resultant scrum a controlled forward drive allowed  Lewis Cox to touch down for try number 2 converted by Rowlands 15 – 3

Pencoed once again gave notice they were going to be no push over and with good use of the wind gained territorial advantage leading up to half time and were rewarded with a second penalty from Clarke to bring the first half to a close 15 – 6.

From the restart forward drives from Tom Downing, Lewis Cox and Joe Davies gave the home side impetus and with Rowlands pulling the strings behind Birch were soon threatening the Pencoed line. A Scott Beard drive carried on by Rowlands and Myatt breached the Pencoed defence and the ever alert Rob Green was on hand to secure try number 3 converted by you know who and at 22 – 6 the home side were looking a lot more comfortable.

It was Pencoed though who once again picked up their game and from a quickly taken penalty within sight of the Birchgrove line James Treadwell was able to run in their first try of the game, converted by Clarke 22 -13. The visitors were now playing with a degree of confidence and with some indiscipline reducing the home side to 13 men for a period Birchgrove’s  resolve was being tested.

 It was Rowlands once again though who steadied the ship with his second penalty and at 25 – 13 you sensed the home side were back on course. With a return to a full compliment and some fresh legs being introduced from the bench a great solo effort from Rowlands, who had been an absolute thorn in the Pencoed side for the whole game was to bring the bonus point fourth try. Breaking through the first line of the visiting defence with some ease he accelerated away to go over from about 40 yards, the conversion a formality, a personal tally of 17 points and job done at 32 – 13.

With rivals Resolven winning at Nantyffyllon  to maintain their own unbeaten record but with no bonus point, Birchgrove sit proudly at the top of the Table tonight with a 100% five league game winning sequence.

Porthcawl, who also have five from five are next week’s opponents away and that should be a real Cracker !