Brecon RFC

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Brecon
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Rhondda and East Glamorgan District
Ivor Morris Cup Final

Brecon 2nd XV 7 - Llantwit Fadre 2nd XV 19

Brecon 2nd XV has had a very good season. They are paced third in the league and reached the final of the Ivor Morris Cup courtesy of an outstanding victory against Senghenydd. This is the second time in their history that they have reached this final. The last time, five years ago, they lost to Mountain Ash in a closely contested match. This time they were hoping to go one better.

Having lost to their opponents Llantwit Fadre earlier in the season they knew that this would be no easy task but with the team at virtually full strength they had high hopes. With the rules of the competition restricting selection to senior players who have played no more than seven first team matches during the season this was the opportunity for the loyal members of the squad to be in the limelight.

The Brecon team is generally a young squad with a few old heads. By contrast the Llantwit team was generally a mature team with a few young players. Even from the kick off Llantwit seemed to possess greater bulk and it seemed obvious that if Brecon were to win then they needed to stretch and test the fitness of their weightier opponents. There was no doubting that Brecon gave their all but they could never win the time or space to move the ball fluently and eventually the experience and greater power of their opponents won the day.

In the Brecon pack there were a number of outstanding performances. The back row was exceptional. Robbie Herdman on the open side covered the whole of the field and his tackling was faultless. It was a pity that most of his involvement was in a defensive role. Owen Davies at 8, played particularly well off the back of the scrum and he did his best to give his side some forward impetus. Alongside him Gethin Meredith was tireless also providing the side with some much needed go forward and doing a great job when Brecon lost Owen Davies to the Sin Bin in the second half.

Gethin Thomas in the second row also showed a great work ethic and gave his all for the cause while his partner Ceri Price won some excellent line out ball and was missed when he left the field through injury. Against a big front row Young props Tyrone Van Zyle and Steve Barnard acquitted themselves very creditably while hooker Alan Taylor led the side well and scored Brecon’s consolation try late in the game. Outside half Gwyn Walters added the conversion.

In attack the backs had little opportunity. At scrum half Geraint Price was his usual busy self but the ball to him was often slow. The centre partnership of Danny Thompson and Gareth Bowen defended particularly well and at full back Drew Bland was safe under a high ball and did his best to initiate counter attacks but he was given little space. With both teams rarely able to get the ball wide, wingers Huw Davies and Matthew Watkins were spectators for much of the game.

During the first half and playing against the wind Brecon did well to restrict Llantwit to just two penalties but they missed a golden opportunity when they took play deep into their opponents 22 while facing a team reduced to thirteen players as a result of a double sin binning. Twice they lost a line out on their throw with the try line in sight and they blew a great opportunity.

The start of the second half was disastrous with Llantwit scoring a try almost from the kick off. They followed that with a penalty and then denied Brecon any real opportunity of a comeback. They sealed the game with a try from a driving maul but Brecon showed character. They put together their best phases of play in the dying minutes and thoroughly deserved their consolation try at the death. It was too little and too late but this young side has potential and will be aiming to go one better next season.