Brecon RFC

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Brecon
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SWALEC WRU National League Division 3 S E Saturday 11th Sept 2008

Old Illtydians 10 – Brecon 17

Brecon travelled to Cardiff with justified hope and expectation. Although still suffering from a long list of injuries the squad’s strength in depth has undoubtedly improved in recent weeks, as has the level of experience and bulk in the pack. This greater strength allied to the confidence gained from two successive wins was apparent in the build up to the game. Brecon looked positive and certainly started the game in that fashion. They controlled most of the first half, were by far the most enterprising side and yet they failed to put points on the board and even allowed the home side to build up a seven point half time lead. At that point Brecon could have panicked but they didn’t. They stick to their game plan, dominated the home side both territorially and in terms of possession and eventually they took their chances to pull of a great morale boosting away win.

While the forwards were a formidable force in the game the eventual victory was earned by a consummate team effort. The forwards certainly dominated their opponents in both tight and loose but it was the backs who supplied the cutting edge with two second half tries, one of which was an absolute gem.

Conditions were perfect for running rugby and from the first whistle both teams set out to take advantage of the dry ground. Brecon playing down the slope in the first half, were shaken by an early soft penalty which outside half Matthew Maunder converted.

In spite of this early deficit, Brecon looked threatening with good ball supplied by the forwards and with the backs creating width. Centre Huw Baldwin looked full of running and caused panic in the home defence on numerous occasions, while his co-centre Alun Davies was, as always direct and a tower of strength in defence. In spite of this apparent superiority scores just would not come. The cause for the failings stemmed from two sources. Too frequently Brecon were penalised at the breakdown surrendering valuable yards to their opponents and their kicking game also wasn’t effective. Too often it allowed dangerous Illtydian’s full back, Dawie Venter, too much time and space. His counterattacking kept the home sides hopes alive and as the half neared its conclusion it lead to a score which could have spelt disaster for Brecon’s hopes.

When he collected a ball just outside his own 22 there seemed little danger but when he evaded the first tackle and broke wide gaps opened in the Brecon defence. Although Brecon’s scramble defence got to his support it was by now overstretched and Mauder had the vision to spot the space and deliver a superb cross kick for his wing Jason Thomas to run onto and score. Mauder converted.

Hurt by the score Brecon responded with a Gary Davies penalty just before half time. The half time talk galvanised the team and the second half started with a massive onslaught on the home line. Forward carrying became more and more effective and with young scrum half Adam Libbey reading the situation well he used their power to get behind over the gain line. Captain Andrew Davies led by example and was eagerly followed by the experienced group of Dale Williams, Scott Edwards, Huw Morgan, Owen Davies and Richard Gallea who was extremely impressive on his first start for Brecon. Not to be outdone were the youngsters Wyn Davies, who has been outstanding in the second row all season and Robbie Herdman who is a genuine livewire on the openside flank and effectively compliments the power of the rest of the back row.

While there now appeared to be only one team in the game Brecon were still playing catchup until they struck with a brilliant score. Right wing Eurin Morgan started the move as ran back a kick from the edge of his 22. Owen Davies was on hand to carry the move forward with a typically thunderous run. Daniel Edwards moved the ball wide beautifully and left wing Matthew Watkins beat the first defender on the touch line. As Ventre came in to cut him off Matthew delivered a delightful pass back inside to Owen Morgan who burst away from everybody to score near the posts. Davies converted and the teams were level.

Having been successful Brecon continued in the same vein and it was only a matter of time before the winning score came. Young Gary Davies who had a very good game at full back put though and attacking chip. The bounce evaded the defence and Eurin Morgan pounced for the score. Davies again converted.

For the remainder of the game Brecon were totally dominant and should have scored further tries only to be denied by marginal forward passes or a misreading of where the try line was by substitute hooker Dan Turner, who put in a great cameo performance in his time on the field.

While the margin of victory should have been greater there can be no denying that this result was a great morale boosting performance as was evident on the bus trip out of Cardiff, expertly negotiated by bus driver Betty, who succeeded in getting the happy team and its supporters home safely in spite of the bizarre directions forthcoming from all quarters.