Fixture

Birchgrove galvanised their position on top of the league with a 43. 12 six try home victory over Abercrave who although at the start of the day were sitting mid table had five games in hand over Birchgrove.

The home side were quick out of the blocks, immediately taking the game to the opposition with aggressive forward play linking smoothly with half backs and threequarters putting pressure on the visitor’s line. A Liam Garland orchestrated move led to the first score of the day, a Nick Fisher penalty 3 – 0.

From the kick off it was more of the same for Birchgrove but a stray pass allowed Abercrave the opportunity to utilise their swift back line and from the counter attack a Birchgrove indiscretion gave the visiting 10 a penalty opportunity,  gratefully received 3 – 3.

Once again Birch were straight on the front foot with R J Di’ulio, Josh Key and Rob Green causing havoc in the close quarter forward exchanges but once again a concentration lapse allowed Abercrave to break the strangle hold and their 10 once again was there to convert his second penalty 3 -6.

It was though only a matter of time before the energy and fluidity of the Birchgrove game was to result in points. A solid scrum and line out control from Scott Beard and Captain Luke Williams added to the back row energy and backs movement put the home side in the ascendency and following a further  two penalties from Fisher, Rob Green was on hand to pick up the first try of the game 14 -6.

Birch were slowly suffocating their opposition and although Abercrave picked up a further penalty 14 – 9 they were becoming more and more dependent upon swift counter attack to offer any threat and the home side  was showing it was well up to the task of defending it’s line. Not withstanding the occasional heart stopping moment when the discretion of a row Z clearance was abandoned in favour of a more aesthetic but more problematic chip and chase.

It was no surprise therefore that the home side were to manufacture a second try before half time. An attacking line out from a Fisher siege gun penalty kick  was well controlled and a well-coordinated forward surge to the line resulted in R, J. Di’ulio going over for a 21 – 9 half time lead.

Abercrave surprisingly were the first to register a score in the second half with their fourth penalty of the game 21 -12 but Birchgrove soon found their feet again with more of the same. Ricky Rosser and Liam Garland were pulling the strings behind a sound scrum and dominant line out and newcomer Gavin Jones and Adam Percival were constantly making inroads in to the visiting defence.

The third try was soon recorded, a line out win , forward drive, two quick phases of play and Tom Downing was the man to force himself over 26 -12. The next score though was mesmerising with R. J Di’ulio finishing off a sweeping move which saw the ball travelling over half the length of the field through backs and forwards with breathtaking speed and accuracy for the bonus point try converted by Nick Fisher 33 -12.

You sensed this game was over as a contest and despite some brave resistance and the occasional counter attack from Abercrave it was the home side who finished in style even after increasing the average age of the side substantially by introducing substitutes Dai Cullen, Coach Chris Grimes for his first outing after long term injury and at the death Darren Poland.

The home side pattern of play remained relentless though and try number five was once again a model of forward and backs coordination as Ricky Rosser, Liam Garland, the quietly dependable Luke Beynon, Rob Green and Luke Williams combined to put Josh Key over in the corner 38- 12.

More of the same to round the game off Scott Beard and Darren Poland this time providing the foil for Nick Fisher to trot in for a final try and comprehensive well deserved 43 -12 victory.

Next up is a visit to Swansea Uplands  (Sat 4th March) who are perhaps our biggest threat having lost only one game and drawn another. Although 11 points behind us they have four games in hand unfortunately  I will be unable to attend the game but a visit to their new million pound facility will be well the effort and from my previous experiences there they “ Don’t like it up ‘em “ as Corporal Jones would say so a bit of good old fashioned Swansea East vocal support may help the boys  no end..

Good Luck lads and keep the Whats App line open and updated.