Brecon RFC

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John Jeffreys' Memorial Trophy
(Breconshire County Cup Final)

Gwernyfed 13 - Brecon 3

The County Cup Final, played at Gwenyfed, proved what potential this competition has. In spite of a strong, cold wind, a large crowd, of over 600, turned up to watch the final played between two close rivals, Gwenyfed and Brecon. This match was in many ways was a throw back to the local derby’s that created so much interest and are part of the history and folklore of the game in Wales. It was a game full of passion and emotion and yet was played in an excellent spirit by both sides. Eventually Gwernyfed earned a deserved victory and added their name to the Trophy for the first time since its inception in the 2003/04 season.

The strong wind was inevitably an influential factor and yet strangely both sides failed to make use of the advantage. With the wind favouring Brecon in the first half they conceded 13 points while only managing a penalty. In the second half and with a ten point lead Gwernyfed failed to score a point but maintained their advantage to close out the victory in spite of a spirited challenge.

The opening quarter of the game was critical. Gwernyfed, facing the gale, were much the sharper and within minutes opened the scoring. From inside their own territory the mid field of Cory Billen, Chris O’Brien and Gareth Dodd showed good quick hands to create the space for a kick ahead. The bouncing ball evaded a slack Brecon defence and left wing Andy Hill pounced for the try.

The next twenty minutes were critical in terms of the eventual result. With the wind advantage, Brecon pounded the Gwernyfed line. When home captain Steve Harley was sin binned for killing the ball and Brecon had a scrum on five metres it seemed only a matter of time before they would score. They exerted huge pressure from a series of five scrums but some heroic defence and great work especially from the Gwernyfed front row of Gareth Davies, Geraint Skyrme and Dylan Thomas ensured that in spite of some powerful Owen Davies charges Brecon were unable to ground the ball over the line.

When Gwernyfed earned some relief they were quickly put under more pressure and a high tackle in mid field seemed to have offered Brecon the opportunity of three points. However, the referee reversed his decision as a result of some Brecon indiscipline and the opportunity was wasted.

Gwernyfed made the most of their rearguard effort as with their first attack in Brecon territory for some time they again showed how to finish. Gareth Dodd brushed aside an attempted tackle in midfield, drew the cover defence and delivered a perfect scoring pass to supporting full back Gerwyn Williams. Once again the conversion failed but Brecon now had a mountain to climb with a ten point deficit while playing with the wind.

They battled back with Wyn Davies in the second row having an outstanding game and winning some great possession. Brecon wing Eurin Morgan made a great break on the right flank and Dan Edwards reduced the lead with a penalty but far too frequently throughout the remainder of the game, senseless indiscipline in the nature of “back chatting”, cost them dearly and even resulted in a sin binning.

On the stroke of half time Cory Billen showed composure to re-established Gwenyfed’s ten point lead with a well taken drop goal.

The second half was a strange affair. Gwernyfed now with wind advantage failed to kill off the game. Brecon battled hard to reduce the arrears but too frequently relied on trying to bust through an impenetrable Gwernyfed defence. They improved after the introduction of Rob Price at full back. He injected some much needed urgency and twice they came close to reducing the arrears. Eurin Morgan made good ground before being tackled in the right corner. Then scrum half Geraint Price broke superbly from half way and looked certain to score only for man of the match, Gareth Dodd, to cut him down near the corner flag, with a magnificent covering tackle.

The enterprise Brecon now showed had come too late and Gwernyfed comfortably held out to record a notable victory and initiate celebrations which went on late into the night.

Gwernyfed:- G. Williams, A. Hill, C. O’Brien, G. Dodd, G. Roe, C. Billen, M. Price, G. Davies, G. Skyrme, D. Thomas, T. Davies, D. Roberts, S. Harley (Capt), G. Barden, R. East Replacements:- J. Davies, J. Bowen, P.Price, C. Fuller, B. Price, H. Fraser, G. Skyrme

Brecon:- G. Davies, E. Morgan, H. Baldwin, P. Williams, M. Watkins, D. Edwards, G. Price, A. Davies (Capt), A. Taylor, D. Williams, W. Davies, H. Morgan, S. Edwards, S. Davies, O. Davies Replacements:- R. Galea, R. Price, G. Owens, O. Morgan, R. Herdman, A, Fergusson, C. Wilton