Brecon RFC

Brecon RFC

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Keith Morris Memorial Fund Charity Match - Saturday 14th March 2009

Brecon President’s XV 22 – British Army 36

Rarely does a curtain raiser provide more entertainment than the main event. In the eyes of many people at Brecon Rugby Club that rarity became a reality with the Charity match at Parc de Pugh upstaging, in terms of entertaining running rugby, that which was served up by the Italy v Wales Six Nations’ International. Certainly there wasn’t the intensity, the importance or the pressure to compare with the International but the endeavour and willingness to run with the ball was far more attractive than the lengthy periods of areal ping pong served up in Rome. In all ten quality tries were served up in a free flowing match with both sides giving their all to both entertain and win the contest.

As pre match entertainment The Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh put on a display which would have matched anything they have done at the Millennium Stadium and Goat Mascot, Shenkin, made his debut appearance on Parc de Pugh. The entertainment ended with both teams and officials lined up for the National Anthem, a unique experience for all the players apart from the British Army Fly Half Jack Prasad who has represented Fiji on thirteen occasions and the Brecon’s Gary Halpin who won eleven caps for his home country, Ireland.

Happily the match that followed lived up to the pre match build up. Prior to the game there had been some anxiety in the home camp. Would the Brecon President’s team including a number of guest players be able to mount a serious challenge against a strong and well organised British Army squad? Such anxiety was unfounded as the whole squad stepped up to the mark and contributed to a great rugby spectacle played in excellent spirit and well controlled by local referee Tony Davies.

The British Army team triumphed as a result of greater support and unity particularly in the early stages of the game when they had wind advantage. There was a point when after ten minutes they looked as if they might run away with the game. Runners hit a flat supporting line from deep and as a result they were able to maintain continuity and pace in their play. The Brecon team at first were unable to match that team pace and athleticism but they made up for it with aggressive defence, a strong forward effort, some individual brilliance and collective spirit. That collective spirit denied their opponents time and again as they were put under severe pressure. So effective was the defence that It was the home side that came closest to the opening score. Captain Scott Edwards made a great break out of defence to lift the siege and Brecon then showed their attacking prowess. Impressive number 8 Dai Scarf made a great 30 metre break through the middle and just failed to release the ball out of a tackle to supporting flanker Robbie Herdman who had the line at his mercy.

The failure could have proved costly as they lost Scott Edwards to an injury and then for the first time their defence was split in midfield when centre Matthew Saulailai cut through a gaping hole and full back Ceri Cummings converted.

To make matters worse the home side then missed another scoring chance after a lovely move initiated by classy outside half Gareth Slade Jones. A half break and then quick hands gave wing Eurin Morgan some room and he brilliantly swerved outside his man. All that remained was to feed the ball inside to his support. The pass looked good but up popped Prasad to intercept.

Almost immediately the invitation team went further behind. Left wing Kenesi Matasua showed great pace as he made the most of a slight overlap and Cummings converted beautifully from near the touch line. When Cummings scored the Army’s third try after a Prasad break the situation looked bleak for the home side.

However they rallied around some great rugby from the front row of Ian Poley, Isaac Greer and Richard Galea, who put in an immense man of the match performance. With second row Steve Covington in particular and Ceri Price his partner beginning to win good line out ball the backs were able to show what they were capable of. Gareth Slade Jones made the initial break. He linked with Phil Cochrain who cut a great angle before giving co-centre Chris Wilton a chance which he took brilliantly to score under the post. Rhidian Slade Jones completed a simple conversion.

The score spurred on the Brecon team. Outside centre Phil Cochrain and wing Owen Morgan came more and more into the game. Every time they had the ball in their hands they offered pace and looked threatened their opponents defence. One great Morgan run saw him pass inside only to be clattered to the ground with a fierce Fijian tackle which sadly brought an end to a great half and Owen’s contribution to the game.

With the wind at their backs the President’s team exerted pressure. Scarf, Galea and Covington were again prominent with blindside flanker Andrew Fergusson doing a lot of the unseen donkey work. In spite of their territorial dominance they failed to score.That failure was costly as winger Matsaua broke from deep to start a move which ended in No 8 Macu Koriadu scoring.

Again Brecon struck back. Chris WIlton was denied a try for an adjudged knock on but the team were not to be denied this time and Scarf bulldozed his way over from a scrum near the line. At this stage the contribution of young replacement prop Jack Herring cannot be overstated.

The end to end nature of the game continued as Saulailai collected his second try to finish a wonderful flowing move. Cummings converted.

It seemed that the home team’s effort may be beginning to flag but some fresh blood galvanised their resolve. Sean Davies entered the back row and Gary Halpin made a huge impact in the front row and around the field. With secure ball Brecon scored the try of the day. A wonderful move down the right initiated by the Slade Jones brothers and brilliantly continued by Eurin Morgan ended with Gareth taking the inside ball to score.

Making a big impact were two young Brecon players Adam Libbey and Rob Price. In such elevated company they certainly didn’t seem out of place and confirmed their obvious potential. One less familiar face on Parc de Pugh was hooker John Allan. As a second half replacement he made a huge impression. One powerful 30 metre break saw him split the defence and set up a move which ended with Steve Covington giving the final pass to Chris Wilton who went in for his second try.

Now just nine points adrift it seemed that an upset might be possible but as time ran out the Army side closed out the match with a try from the President’s eldest son Gareth Libbey. In spite of the loss Gary Halpin and Chris Webber, who made a great job of preparing the scratch side in a short pre match period, were undoubtedly proud of their team’s performance.

The match was certainly the highlight of a great rugby day which raised in excess of £5,000 for The Keith Morris Memorial Fund.

Man of the Match Richard Galea on a typical charge.