Fixture

First home game of the Season and a big crowd were treated to a Competitive 54 point  Rugby Feast as Birchgrove ran out well deserved 36 – 18 victors.

The game started with a minute’s silence in memory of a number of people lost to the Club in the Close Season impeccably observed and it was the home team who then took the lead with a Matthew Edwards penalty 3 – 0.

Nanty though, who have a good record against us at home, were quick to strike back with a Try followed up with a Penalty to give the visitors a 3- 8 advantage and hopes of repeating last season’s 8 -13 victory at Parc Bedw.

 A further Penalty to put them 3 – 11 in front boosted their confidence but they did not reckon on the fighting spirit of this Birch side notwithstanding a reshuffle as a result of Injuries and absences. A five score unanswered scoring Blitz was the response.

First, energetic and always sniping scrum half Scott Gibson grabbed a try and Edwards converted 10 – 11. The laser boot of Edwards continued to menace the visitors with a further penalty and restoration of the lead at 13 – 11. To add insult to injury Matthew Edwards playing as if he was born to the infrequent 10 shirt added a try and conversion and Birch were flying at 20 – 11.

More pressure and more penalties conceded by the visiting side and Mr Consistent Edwards continued to deliver the goods, 2 Penalties and at 26 – 11 was the game over ?

Well Nanty had different ideas as their bustling strong running centre combination started to give the home defence something to think about. A Nanty try and conversion was the reward and at 26 – 18 was this to be a comeback.

Not likely! Sam Evans taking over the kicking duties slotted another Penalty over 29 -18 and just for good measure Steffan Gibson went over for try number three converted by Evans and a final handsome 36 - 18 victory to move Birch up to third in the Table behind Bonymaen and Ammanford and equal on points with Dunvant.

All credit to both sides for a good game but especially to the home side who at the end of the game sported a back row of those well known exponents of Back Row dark arts - Luke Curtis, Josh Jarrett and Oli Dudley !!!

On now with confidence to next week’s home Cup game against West Wales side Pembroke. Don’t miss it.

Plenty of Candidates for the Panel to consider for this week’s Man of the Match :-

Scott and Steff Gibson for their overall all game vigour and individual tries

Flanker Matthew Hutchinson stepping in on Permit  and delivering a strong performance throughout

Leigh Di’ulio another live wire game at 7

But Man of the Match is the Mercurial Matthew Edwards.

Unfortunately ,no action photographs this week as Jeff Miles is away but you can catch up with the whole game on U Tube  Video Channel https://youtube.com/channel/UCWdofbCjjnJ5DHfuIpYz9AA