Brecon RFC

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Brecon
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Senior Match Reports

WRU National League Division 3 South East Saturday 5th September 2009

Pentyrch 11 - Brecon 13

Brecon delighted their supporters with the first win on the opening day of a season for many years. The win was even more notable in that it came away from home and to a side riding on the crest of a wave following their promotion at the end of last season as clear winners of Division 4 South East. The match was extremely close between two sides bent on playing good rugby. The fact that Brecon ultimately triumphed was surely down to the pre season hard work put in by coaches Scott Edwards and Gareth Williams and a large group of players who have shown great commitment over the summer months.

While it could hardly be said that the win was a faultless performance it did show great potential from a young squad containing six players below the age of 20 and with five players making their debuts for Brecon’s senior team.

The opening phases of the game were definitely won by the home side which showed great enterprise and confidence and tried to spread the game with every opportunity. In defence Brecon showed great character and team spirit. Communication was good and players showed an appetite for work, responding well to the promptings of acting captain Paul Williams who had an excellent all round game in his old position of scrum half. While they held their line intact they weren’t able to prevent their opponents from capitalising on their territorial superiority, gaining the lead when full back Mark Bean successfully kicked a penalty.

The reverse stirred Brecon into action. Behind a stable scrum No 8 Brett Johnson was able to break and he made great ground well supported by flanker Jonny Allen. One surge supported by the pack carried the ball over the line but it was impossible to see whether the ball had been grounded and then centre Huw Baldwin almost stretched across the line for a try after a great passage of play.

The missed opportunities proved costly. Pentyrch broke away and pacey winger Phil Smith was only just brought down in the corner. At the ruck Brecon’s Ewan Williams was penalised and sin binned and when Pentyrch extended their lead with another Bean penalty Brecon’s fourteen faced a huge task.

The back to the wall response was outstanding. Even with seven forwards the Brecon pack began to take the upper hand. Second rows Alex Dalton and Wyn Davies won great line out possession and put in a huge amount of work around the field. Props Lewis Smout and Garetjh Gareth Owens gained the upper hand in scrums and their partner Martyn Jones, at hooker, was hugely impressive on his return to the First XV.

With possession the backs swept forward and the new impetus brought its reward with an excellent try. A great build up involving wing and full back Eurin and Owen Morgan was beautifully finished in the corner by Huw Baldwin.

Turning round just one point behind there was a belief that Brecon could prevail, however the second half started much as did the first with Pentyrch pressure. One of many crunching tackles by centre Alun Davies turned the ball over and again the balance swung in Brecon’s favour, however, it took an outstanding phase of rugby to put the visitors into the lead. Although it was only the first game of the season it is hard to imagine that the score will be bettered. Ewan Williams stated the move with a great break from the tail of a line out just outside Brecon’s 22. Having got through the first line of defence he superbly off loaded to Lewis Smout. The young prop’s charge at the wing took his opponent completely out of play before another great off load put debutant Seb Evans in possession. In his first game at this level he looked completely at home and delivered a sublimely timed pass to fellow debutant Aled Smith. The wingers quick feet and pace took him clear of would be tacklers to score a wonderful try.

Almost immediately Brecon surrendered the lead. Opening up ambitiously in their 22, a missed pass led to a kick being charged down and Hywel Williams pounced for a try that looked as if it might kill off Brecon’s hopes. They could have crumbled but instead they bounced back and pressurised the home line. Finally they were awarded a penalty and in such a tight game outside half Daniel Edwards wonderfully held his never to slot over the winning score.

The hard earned win was well deserved. The team showed great character with everyone making a great contribution. There is now no doubting that the young team has potential but they must continually strive for further improvement if they are to build on this good start to the season particularly with the second team also winning by 15 points to 10 in their home encounter against Treherbert.