Brecon RFC

63 The Watton
Brecon
Powys
LD3 7EL

Tel: 01874 624848
Fax: 01874 611719
contact@breconrfc.co.uk

Click map to find us

Click to enlarge

SWALEC WRU National League Division 3 South East Saturday 2nd April 2011

Brecon 16 - Abercynon 39

There could be little doubt that Saturday’s match at Parc de Pugh between Brecon and Abercynon was hugely significant for both sides but for different reasons. Abercynon arrived in Brecon needing a bonus point win, to maintain their challenge for the automatic promotion spot. Having started the season poorly they have become the form team since the start of the New Year and although they are twelve points behind leaders Heol-y-Cyw they have three games in hand.

Brecon on the other hand have slipped badly since Christmas. Although they have three games in hand they are just seven points clear of the relegation zone and are in desperate need of a win to haul themselves out of trouble. Taking points off Abercynon was a tall order and although that was not achieved the players acquitted themselves very well particularly during the second half.

The opening exchanges were ominous. The power of the whole of the Abercynon team was evident from the kick off. Brecon struggled to cope with a powerful scrum, strong forward charges and an accomplished back line which was eager to take up the ball while having the luxury of living on the front foot.

To Brecon’s credit they held out well under enormous pressure and during the first quarter restricted the visitors to three penalties, all well taken by inside centre Matthew Turner. On a number of occasions it was Gwyn Pengelly at full back who foiled the opposition’s attempts to score with a number of critical tackles and overall he had a very busy and impressive afternoon.

When the break did come it was unexpected. On halfway outside half, Luke Davies made a clean break, In acres of space he showed great composure in settling himself and drawing the final defender before putting scrum half Kristian Baller in the clear. Turner had the easiest of conversions.

Twenty minutes into the game Brecon were sixteen points down and could easily have folded under the pressure. The fact that they responded with an outstanding try of their own was a complement to their determination and togetherness. The move started with hooker Martin Jones taking the ball tight on the touchline just inside opposition territory. Instead of dying with the ball he found a supporting player on the inside and the pack won quick ruck ball. Outside half Dan Edwards made a neat half break and beautifully offloaded out of the tackle. Impressive centre Eifion Jones cut a great line and showed great pace to reach the line.

The quality of that try was matched by Abercynon who responded immediately. Eifion Jones seemed to have made a great tackle on half way but somehow Turner got a pass away out of the back of his hand and full back Casey Pitman made the run in to the corner.

Dan Edwards reduced the arrears with a penalty before Abercynon got their third try in the dying minutes of the half. Brecon lost a line out on five metres and the visiting pack drove hard for the line. When the ball emerged scrum half Baller crossed for his second try.

Sixteen points down at half time hardly boded well for the home side as Abercynon looked to make certain of the fourth bonus try as quickly as possible. After an early exchange of penalties Brecon began to impose themselves. The back row brilliantly led by outstanding No 8 Tom Daley began to make a big impact. Ceri Morgan carried the ball and regularly gained good ground while replacements Wyn Davies and Gethin Meredith became more and more prominent.

Now in possession of better ball the backs began to create openings. Although they were punished with another Turner penalty, Brecon began to take control of the game. Wings Owen Morgan and Ross Parry came close and eventually the endeavour was rewarded. Owen Morgan made a great run and created the opening but his pass inside to Gwyn Pengelly was not the best. Fortunately Gwyn picked it up brilliantly off his toes and dived over for a well-deserved try. Brecon almost immediately reduced the arrears but this time their lack of composure resulted on them failing to put unmarked Owen Morgan away. That failure was to prove costly.

With time running out Abercynon at last lifted the siege and entered the Brecon half. Here they showed how to finish. After a powerful charge by impressive prop, Gavin Moses, Matthew Turner found himself in space and he clinically claimed his side’s fourth try and converted to give himself a final tally of 24 points.

If the second half performance can be replicated at Llanishen next Saturday then Brecon could earn the vital four points they so desperately seek.