Brecon RFC

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SWALEC WRU Plate Round 1 Saturday 30th October 2010

Brecon 25 - Nantyffyllon 15
(After Extra Time)

This was a game in which Brecon snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Both team records thus far this season were very similar with each side occupying a mid-table position in their respective leagues – Three South East and South West. The game was played in excellent conditions between teams of contrasting styles and it turned out to be an epic contest with a happy ending for the home side.

Right from the start it was clear that Brecon were by far the sharper when running off good ball but Nantyffyllon were far stronger in the close contact area and their scrummage was a potent weapon. The difficulty for Brecon was that good ball was at a premium and what they had, they had to use wisely. During the early exchanges Brecon centre Alun Davies and wing Ross Parry showed up well both in defence and attack. Brecon looked threatening but one of their common failings this season has been ball retention and decision making and they put themselves under severe pressure after surrendering possession in the opponents 22. Nantyffyllon’s counterattack was effective and they gained an attacking platform.

Once the visitors had gained a scrum on the five metre line it was already clear that Brecon would have trouble defending their line. Inevitably they were driven over the line and visiting number 8 Steve Martin claimed the touchdown.

Brecon responded well but again they continued to surrender possession through giving away penalties and to compound matters they lost ground for repeatedly questioning the referee’s decisions. Their vulnerability at the breakdown was again evident when, after a good break through full back Rob Price, they were turned over on the opposition 22. Nantyffyllon scum half Johnny Phillips broke away and only great awareness and a super cover tackle from young flanker Osian Davies halted the move deep in Brecon territory.

Brecon did get on the score sheet with a Dan Edwards penalty but at this stage Brecon were lucky to end the half just five points behind after Nantyffyllon’s outside half Lee Bumford kicked just one out of three penalty attempts.

Still well in contention at the start of the second half, Brecon again found that they were often their own worst enemy. A sin binning reduced the team to 14 players and then they lost, through injury, both props Jim Williams and his replacement Philip Davies. Inevitably Nantyffyllon took advantage of the situation, although in truth the long term effect of the passive scrums aided Brecon’s cause. The visitors created a lovely phase of play which started with a line out on the right and finished with left wing Ryan Thomas making the overlap to score in the corner. Bumford converted with an excellent kick from the touchline.

Brecon almost looked a beaten side at this stage but captain Richard Galea rallied his team while leading by example. The team’s response was admirable and the final phases of full time brought back memories of Wales and Scotland last year as Brecon started to take control of the game. Cutting down on errors and showing greater discipline the backs were fed with good ball and there were signs that the balance of the game was changing. Centre Eifion Jones cut a great line through the home defence and was only just hunted town deep in opposition territory. Eifion featured again soon afterwards when Rob Price went down a wide blind side. He created the initial gap and then Eifion’s lovely pass put wing Mark Lewis in space. He outpaced the cover and showed great composure in touching down under the posts to give Huw Baldwin the easiest of conversions.

Brecon were now just five points behind but they had left their challenge late and time was running out. The final dramatic move of normal time will be well remembered by all who were present. From the kick off Nantyffyllon sensibly tried to play the game deep in the Brecon half and away from danger. A piece of sheer brilliance turned the game on its head. From a turn over in the Brecon 22 No 8 Tom Daley broke up field. He first cut through the close defence and then sprinted away shaking off a number of would be tacklers in the process. On the opposition 22 he looked for support and there on his elbow was the ever present Wyn Davies. Wyn’s link pass to winger Ross Parry was brilliant and Ross made sure of at least a draw with his touchdown. Eifion Jones’ attempted conversion sailed agonisingly wide and extra time beckoned with both sides level on points and tries.

The periods of extra time were tense but Brecon always had the upper hand and most of the game was now being played in opposition territory. The first half ended with an Eifion Jones penalty to give Brecon a lead which they never looked like losing. The final act came when not for the first time during extra time Danny Howe burst through the defence off a lovely pop pass from Huw Baldwin. This set up the position for a final forward drive and appropriately Richard Galea touched down. Eifion Jones’ conversion just rubbed salt into the Nantyffyllon wounds as they left empty handed from a game that they should have won in normal time.