Fixture

Well, an overused cliché I know but today it was a game of two halves. We lost the first half quite overwhelmingly 7 -25 but won the second half 7 - 5. The overall result is what counts though and unyielding Morriston completed the double over us and win 14-30 on the day.

The visitors were first on the board with a penalty from Cory Evans 0-3. Showing plenty of enterprise and forward power they were also first to cross the line although some may say fortunately. Birchgrove forced to drop out under the posts having defended a Morriston onslaught saw the ball sail long and in to the hands of an away player who seemed to juggle the ball forward. The referee adjudging the ball had been played backwards though and a Monkey’s kick soon gained a foothold near the home line. A well-executed catch and drive to the line was then successful 0-8. An excellent Evans conversion and we are 10 points adrift.

With Morriston forwards showing great control try number 2 was soon to come similar circumstances similar wonder conversion and 0- 17 was looking bad. More to come with the home side looking somewhat lacklustre try number three. Line out, two passes try 0-22, simple ,followed by  a further penalty  0- 25 . Where was this going!!

With half time in sight though a mini revival. Pressure we thought had brought a try only to be frustratingly called back for an attacking scrum. But there was new energy here, Liam Richards, Lewis Cox, Conrad Delfosse all testing the resolute away defence. A try was coming you felt and Richards and Cox with a helping hand from Dirkson managed to get Rob Green over the line. Steff Gibson converted 7-25 half time.

Second half started with a bang and renewed vigour from the home side. Morriston have a man taking 10 minutes rest and Steff Gibson with a 40-yard run stirs the cockles of the home support. Could we really get something out of the poor showing of the first half!

Well maybe. An attacking scrum, going backwards but Lewis Cox picks up and drives forward, an offload to Scott Gibson and the powerful support of Josh Jarrett is on hand to get over, try number two converted by Steff Gibson 14 – 25.

Still plenty to do even with Morriston warming up their “bomb squad” front row of Rhys Boulton and Jamie Jones we could still be looking at a finger tip losing bonus point or even an unlikely victory.

Much more endeavour from the home side now and more forward control but Morriston had not read the script and with one final sweeping move basically put the match to bed with an unconverted bonus point try and a second victory over us in three weeks to give them the double 14-30.

Safety is still in our hands though as potential relegation rivals Bridgend Athletic also lost at home 7-25 to Builth so let’s get up for a busy week next week as we take on top of the table Tondu at home on Wednesday the 17^th at 7.15 and welcome Builth to Parc Bedw next Saturday.

It’s not going to be easy but we can do it.

Man of the Match threw up a few candidates for different reasons and those in the frame from, I stress, the Independent Panel were :-

Conrad Delfosse, Liam Richards, Sam Richards, Aled Thomas, Chris Gorvett

In a close-run debate Sam Richards and Conrad Delfosse narrowly miss out to Aled Thomas , today's MOM