Fixture

Following a three week break Brecon Youth resumed their campaign with a challenging cup fixture against Merthyr. Merthyr play in a higher league than Brecon and so the sides only meet when drawn in Cup competitions. Although Brecon have rarely beaten what is consistently a powerful Merthyr side they have always given a good account of themselves and this match was no different.

On the back of a very successful season to date, with 12 wins from their 14 matches to date, Brecon set out to pull off a giant killing act in front of a good crowd on a Six Nations weekend. From the start it was obvious that Brecon would have to play at a high tempo and with width in order to stretch their much bigger opponents. While the pitch was soft after the previous day’s rain the day was calm and dry and this certainly helped Brecon’s cause.

From the outset it was clear that Merthyr intended to use their superior power to cross the gain line before delivering ball that their backs could use. It was also clear, even in the early exchanges, that should their backs have front foot ball then their centre and full back would prove to be dangerous runners. Brecon to their credit were not intimidated and it was the home side which put the first points on the board. Merthyr in attempting to run out of defence were caught and penalised near their own posts and Brecon’s Lewys Powell comfortably stroked the ball between the posts.

Merthyr were stung by this early set-back and quickly registered their first score. The manner in which it came was disappointing from a Brecon perspective. A seemingly innocuous kick through the defence should have been cleared easily but Brecon failed to claim the ball and when a Merthyr foot got to the loose ball and hacked it towards the line Brecon lost out on the race to ground it and Merthyr took the lead although the try was not converted.

If Brecon were disappointed by their mistake they didn’t allow it to affect their play. In fact they came back determined to make amends and spurred on by a lively performance by scrum half Hugh Prothero, they quickly restored their lead. Andrew Hosie, whose work rate throughout the match was very impressive, made good ground with ball in hand. Although the ball was eventually lost Merthyr’s ill-discipline gave away a penalty in mid-field on their 22. A penalty kick would have easily brought 3 points but Brecon were more ambitious than that and some quick thinking and good support brought its reward. Hugh Prothero took a quick tap and moved the ball left in front of a retreating defence. Good hands gave wing Will Trumper a chance to go for the line, although there was still work to be done. He took his opportunity brilliantly and restored Brecon’s three point lead.

This time Brecon hoped to hang on the lead a little longer and frustrate their opponents. For a number of reasons this didn’t happen. Brecon’s line out ceased to function allowing Merthyr to monopolise possession and when Brecon did win possession through some great work at the breakdown by flankers Hosie and Ioan Edwards, Brecon tended to give the ball away by kicking to the Merthyr full back who caused problems on the counter attack.

With pressure in Brecon’s half Merthyr created and excellent score to restore their lead. The outside half spotted that Brecon’s defence was narrow, hoping to close down the dangerous mid-field, and he easily outflanked the defence with an inch perfect cross kick which was gathered and moved on to give wing and easy run in to the line.

In spite of some spirited Brecon play Merthyr soon increased their lead. Their inside centre, who was dangerous throughout, showed great pace and power to tear the home defence to shreds and put his full back in at the corner.

Brecon could have folded under the pressure at this point but instead again bounced back. With props Jamie Evans and Luke Millichap and second row Iain Mitchell showing a great appetite for the battle and carrying hard, Brecon forced Merthyr back. At an attacking ruck Ioan Edwards stole the ball and tore through the middle leaving defenders in his wake to score a morale boosting try. Powell converted to level the scores.

Merthyr now knew they were in a game and with Brecon realising that they could compete it became an interesting contest as the sides re-took the field for the second half with scores level.

That position quickly changed as Merthyr took an early lead which they were then to hold. Two of Brecon’s failing cost them dear. First they lost a lineout on their throw and then again they failed to deal with a kick through the defence allowing Merthyr to score their fourth try.

In spite of being down once again the response was impressive. By forcing the ball wide Brecon began to stretch the big Merthyr pack and began to win the breakdown area. With more possession Lewys Powell and wings Will Trumper and Lachie Rourke Davies began to look dangerous. Territorially Brecon took control as they strove for a score that could restore their lead. With forwards and backs working hard they came close on at least three occasions. One move in particular saw the ball being grounded over the line but with the referee unsighted the try couldn’t be given. When Merthyr did take up the offensive Brecon’s defence was tight and they closed out the threat that the Merthyr mid-field posed in the first half.

In spite of their hard work a score wouldn’t come and finally their brave effort ran out of time with Merthyr progressing to the next round and Brecon left to concentrate on their challenge for the league title.