Brecon RFC

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Brecon
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WRU National League Division 3 South East Saturday 17th October 2009

Brecon 22 - Heol-y-Cyw 22

The final whistle signalled mixed emotions for both sides at Parc de Pugh. While there was a sense of relief at not losing there was little satisfaction in failing to earn the four points for a win. Of the two sides there is no doubting that visitors, Heol-y-Cyw, would have been the happier. They deservedly shared the spoils away from home and at the death it was they who kicked the final penalty to draw level when it had seemed that they would lose out in a very close affair.

Both sides were evenly matched and tried to play good rugby although styles were quite different. Brecon looked for a quick tempo and attempted to get the ball wide as soon as they recycled quick ball. Their pace created openings but the problem lay in creating the quick ball and then retaining it through phases. Heol-y-Cyw, while not being afraid to look for width, used their bigger forwards to pound around the fringes, retain the ball through numerous phases, commit defenders and create gaps.

Their first two tries was a perfect example of those contrasting patterns of play. From a scrum on the Brecon 22 the back row carried the ball left into contact. They drove left again from that phase and the next. Brecon’s cover was pulled infield and when Cyw suddenly switched right; swift hands created an overlap for hooker D. Jones to exploit. His try in the corner was the first of his many incursions, made thanks to the fact that his bulkier forwards were able to retain possession without committing too many to the breakdown.

Brecon levelled the scores with a beautiful try after they created quick, go forward ball. No 8 Danny Howe carried first from a line out. The ball was quickly switched back towards the right touch line and prop Carl Stephenson carried. From wide right the ball was moved to wide left and wing Owen Morgan beautifully went outside his man. Challenged by the full back almost on the line he popped the ball back inside to supporting hooker Isaac Greer who dived over to level the scores.

The number 10’s Dan Edwards and Mike Huckridge then exchanged penalties. Then with half time approaching Huckridge added another. With their tails up they pressed hard for a further score and but for two magnificent try saving tackles by full back Rob Price would have increased their lead by half time.

Brecon’s start to the second half was brilliant. From a line out on the ten metre line Paul Williams ran flat and brought centre Alun Davies in on the crash. He split the defence, linked inside with Dan Edwards and his swift hands put Owen Morgan away for a great try which Edwards converted.

Huckridge reduced the lead with his third penalty before a try out of the blue restored the visitors lead. Carl Stephenson made great charge into the opponents half and Rob Price carried the move forward only for the ball again to be lost in contact. Cyw countered with Huckridge switching the direction of play. The disorganised Brecon defence was breached and wing Gareth Howells scored in the corner.

Brecon’s reply showed their best and their worst. First they made great progress down the left flank with Owen Morgan and Aled Smith providing great pace and skill but again the ball was lost. Heol –y-Cyw kicked the turnover ball cross field. Brecon’s right wing Eurin Morgan caught and countered from deep inside his own territory. He beat the first man, chipped the next and cut inside the third before passing inside to supporting hooker Martyn Jones. From 25 metres out he almost made the line but as he was tackled he had the presence of mind to pop a pass to Eurin who dived over. Edward’s conversion gave Brecon a three point lead with minutes remaining.

They then earned a penalty near half way but Edward’s kick just sailed wide and from the 22 drop out Brecon knocked on deep in their half. The mistake allowed Cyw to force Brecon into the corner where a great fight broke out. The visitors were penalised and their captain given red card.. Brecon kicked to touch and won the line out. Surely now the game was won. All that they needed to do was control the ball. They drove and then somehow the ball carrier became isolated. A penalty was given as the player held on when on the floor and from five metres infield on the home ten metre line Huckridge lined up the kick and levelled the score. The referee promptly blew his final whistle.