Fixture

After taking the scalp, in impressive style, of top of the league Resolven last week, Birchgrove headed to bottom of the league Cwmavon today where a banana skin performance could possibly have been on the cards.

Well that theory was quickly put to bed as from the first scrum of the day before I had my pen out and photographer Jeff Miles had set his camera up a slick backs move orchestrated by Rob Scrine and permit No 10 Scott Davies saw Adam Percival go over for try number one and 0 -5 lead. (Jeff Miles is sorry there is no photographic evidence as he was talking to his wife on the phone at the time !!)

The game continued at a rapid rate and an altercation reduced both sides temporarily to 14 men and but for some loose line out play Birchgrove would have seen their lead increase during the opening quarter. It was a penalty from full back Lee Harris though that was the next score and at 0 -8 there was an air of confidence around the team and visiting supporters.

With Birchgrove playing a high tempo game which inevitably brought one or two errors it was no real surprise when the lead was extended. Scrum half Rob Scrine, always alert, saw the opportunity to hack on from a loose scrum ball. Wing Luke Davies was quick to follow up but was impeded as he chased the ball to the line and a penalty try was awarded which put the visitors in a commanding 0- 15 lead.

Cwmavon to their credit were able to establish a number of attacking positions in the visitors half as a result of a solid scrum and equally effective line out but were unable to capitalise on their territorial positions. It was this shortcoming that resulted in them falling further behind as yet again they lost possession and Josh Key, who had been a colossus throughout made fully 40 yards with a lung bursting ball in hand break. Forward support was soon at hand as the attack was initially held up but the combined bulk of Joseph Davies and Kyl Thompson further weakened the home side resolve before  veteran James (1 more week) Evans was over for the third try converted by Lee Harris and a comfortable 0- 22 half time lead.

Playing with the wind in the second half the Birchgrove faithfull were looking for a quick increase in the lead but it was not to be and it was  the home side who were first to score in the second half. Having once again secured a reasonable attacking platform the ball was released along their back line and Cameron Bamford was over for a try which he also converted  7 – 22.

Cwmavon were now looking anything but a bottom of the table side and were getting themselves in to threatening situations. It is at times like this though that a good side rises to the occasion and with typical doggedness the visiting defence stood firm with the back row of Key, Rob Green and Luke Myatt continuously breaking up attacks aided and abetted by Scrine, Adam Percival and Nathan Llewellyn.

With the boiler house of hard working second rows Scott Beard and Tom Downing also putting in a big shift it was only a matter of time before the bonus point try was to come and despite the game now becoming anything but an open Rugby fest it was a slick backs combination that was to be the last triumph of the day.

With the hard yards made by the unstinting combined energy of the forwards, substitute Nick Fisher made good ground before handing on to Adam Percival who in his now so recognisable deft fashion was able to move it on to co centre Nathaniel Llewellyn to go over in the corner for the bonus try, unconverted. Final score  7 – 27.

A good day, not a classic but a workmanlike performance from all involved and the coveted Top of the Table position is richly deserved.

Another testing game next Saturday as 4^th placed Nantyfyllon come to Parc Bedw ko 2.30.  Lets get there and support the lads.