Brecon RFC

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Brecon
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WRU National League Division 3 South East Saturday 10th April 2010

Brecon 6 - St Peters 31

For the third successive week Brecon lost to a score of around thirty points. Saturday’s match was always going to be a difficult challenge. Brecon’s young side faced joint league leaders St Peters who were anxious to earn maximum points in perfect conditions. The home team’s cause was not helped when they lost two players through injury and then in the second they used up all their subs as they covered two further injuries. To some extent this has been the tale of the season. Rob Price who started the game very brightly departed with a suspected broken arm. Martyn Jones, who has had a good season at hooker, quickly followed and early in the second half they lost their top try scorer Eurin Morgan and finally second row Lee Hammond.

Even without the injuries Brecon were always second best. St Peters played a high tempo game with backs and forwards being eager to handle and support. They threatened early on without breaking the stubborn Brecon defence but that breakthrough came after Brecon surrendered three consecutive line outs on their own throw. The second try came when the St Peter’s right wing made the most of some poor defence to dance over in the corner.

Ten points down and under considerable pressure showed some fighting spirit to get back into the game with two Huw Baldwin penalties and at half time they were only four points adrift. It could have been closer if the bouncing ball had been kind. Scrum half Paul Williams put in a great kick to the corner. Chasing wing Matthew Watkins found himself in the clear only for the ball to bounce straight over his head. Even then second row Seb Evans had a chance to gather and score only for the second bounce to the more reminiscent of an off break in what after all was cricketing weather. Seb was completely beaten by the bounce and the try went begging

Andrew Davies on his first full game as prop since a lengthy injury carried the ball well as did Richard Galea who was always eager for work. However, their battle was always against the odds. Not surprisingly Brecon’s share of possession was limited. When they did win some good ball Youth player Eifion Jones at outside half showed great potential. His distribution skills were excellent and he tackled as well as anyone on the park. Owen Morgan at full back also had a very good game. Always prepared to counter he posed problems for the visitors defence. Unfortunately many of his promising runs came to nothing as Brecon failed to provide quick enough support to maintain this momentum.

The second half started disastrously. St Peter’s put together a great move and stretched Brecon from one side of the pitch to the other before finishing in the corner for a try which was converted.

This early set back and the mounting injury toll undoubtedly sapped Brecon’s resolve. St Peter’s quickly gained their fourth and bonus point try and by contrast they grew in confidence. Brecon could have caved in but to their credit they didn’t and for the remainder of the game they looked the more likely to score. That was still the case when they conceded their fifth try. Brecon were attacking deep in their opponents 22. After an Owen Morgan break they were just held up on the line. Pressing ten metres away from the line Brecon suddenly lost the ball. The visiting wing picked up and burst away. When the cover got to him he had support and the move was not halted until within five metres of the home line. Brecon illegally entered the ruck from the wrong side in an attempt to kill the ball and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try which was converted. The score brought the curtain down on a disappointing afternoon for the 1st XV who must return with points from next weeks game at bottom placed Llandaff.

By contrast the 2nd XV, playing on the adjacent pitch, had much to celebrate. They won their semi final of the Rhondda and East Glamorgan cup against strong opposition. Senghenydd are one of the leading sides in the league and qualified for the semi final by defeating league leaders Dowlais. The 24 points to 18 win was sealed in the final minute with an outstanding drop goal by Gwyn Walker