Fixture

Earlier the season Brecon narrowly defeated St Peters at Parc de Pugh in a match featured on Scrum V. As presenter of that feature Rick O’Shea Tweeted, “This was the game of season so far, it had the lot; tries, penalty tries, fights, and controversy.”  The second instalment didn’t quite contain all the elements of the first; there were no penalty tries, no controversy and very few fights but it was an outstanding game between two well matched teams. The game was of vital importance to both sides. For St Peters it was probably their last chance of mounting a challenge for the league title. While they entered the match nine points adrift of leaders Brecon their recent form suggested that they were on a surge having defeated other championship rivals Porth and Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd in recent weeks. For Brecon the match was the start of a testing period in which they face a sequence of three matches against championship contenders. A major slip at this stage would put all the hard work at jeopardy by allowing their rivals the opportunity of trimming the points gap which Brecon have earned through their 12 league wins and single league defeat.

A good crowd of supporters followed the side on its trip south to the capital through snow as they crossed the Beacons and then rain but thankfully they arrived at the ground with a cold wind blowing but with little sign of the snow or rain which they encountered on their journey.

The relatively good conditions helped these well matched teams to produce an exciting match which flowed from end to end with the result in doubt up until Brecon earned a seven point winning lead in the closing stages of the match. To create that winning margin Brecon had been forced to work hard against a big powerful pack and some lively backs and their delight at the end of the game was fully justified.

Many elements contributed to the successful result for the Brecon team. Against a big pack the scrum was a solid unit with the front five of Ryan Harris, Aaron Horne, Andy Nicholl, Danny Howe, Jonathan James and replacements Jack Herring and Josh Davies all producing good displays. In addition to the tight work Andy Nicholl and Danny Howe carried well with Howe in particular producing an outstanding all-round performance. From that firm base the back row was able to be effective and they outplayed their opposite numbers. The continuity in that area had been disrupted prior to the game with illness and injury striking down Dafydd Thomas and Craig Davies. Their loss could have been significant but in Osian Davies and Jack Goodey they had able deputies. Osian was his usual all action self while Jack on his first appearance for Brecon showed what an impressive ball carrier he is. Slotting into the trio neatly was Davey Herdman who was outstanding in the tackle area and as the game wore cleared up brilliantly and drove hard at the heart of the home defence.

The forward contribution wasn’t perfect in that the line out on occasions mal-functioned but they redeemed themselves by stealing a few line outs against the throw.

The backs dovetailed in beautifully with the forward effort. Their defence against a very lively back line was excellent particularly in the middle period of the first half when St Peters, with a wind advantage, threw everything at them. They did succumb to two quick outflanking counterattacks and they did kick poorly at times allowing the dangerous back three of St Peters room to counter attack but overall their defence was well organised and directed by captain Dan Edwards.

In attack they were equally as potent as their opponents. Wings Jake Crockett and Joey Morgan came close to scoring on a number of occasions and always looked dangerous. At outside half Gari Davies distributed well and effectively took on the defensive line on a number of occasions. In the centre Rob Price was outstanding in defence and ran powerfully while Eifion Jones blitzed through at least twice only for the opportunities to be squandered. At full back Jake Newman had a good around game while his replacement, Celfyn Davies, brought a calming influence onto the field as the game entered the critical final quarter.

Right from the outset the game was full of tension and movement with no quarter given by either side. St Peters held the territorial advantage but Brecon created the more clear cut chances. Jake Crockett almost broke clear on the outside only to be brought back for a foot in touch. Joey Morgan on the other wing almost finished a lovely sweeping move when the bounce of the ball from a grubber kick evaded his clutches.

In spite of the adventurous play the first points weren’t scored until the first quarter ended. A penalty just inside the Brecon half was converted by the impressive home full back Alex Jones. Brecon responded well. Jake Crockett made ground when he popped up in mid-field and Danny Howe drove hard through the fringe defence. When awarded a penalty Brecon went for the corner. The line out drive was perfect and Aaron Horne touched down as the pack surged over the line. Gari Davies converted to give Brecon a four point lead which they held at the interval. One incident in second quarter should have alerted Brecon to the threat St Peters posed. When awarded a penalty on half way they took it quickly and caught Brecon flat footed. Some scramble defence closed the threat down but the warning needed to be heeded.

The lack of attention to that warning cost Brecon dearly early in the second half. Brecon started brightly, pressed hard and came close to a score but gave away a penalty. Lively scrum half Lewis Dawes swept the ball away quickly and Brecon were caught unprepared. Full back Alex Jones outflanked the disorganised defence and ran a full 70 metres to score. The conversion failed but St Peters led by a single point.

Brecon worked hard to re-establish their lead and created opportunities which they failed to convert and that almost cost them as again St Peters broke away for a second time when the ball popped out of a ruck on the St Peters 5 metre line. Dawes sped away down a narrow blind side and alarm bells were ringing. Fortunately, this time the cover just managed to shut out the threat deep in the 22. St Peters then created one final chance for themselves when they worked an overlap which, fortunately for Brecon, was spurned.

From this point on Brecon took control. They regained the lead with a Gari Davies penalty and then applied huge pressure in the right corner. A driving line out went over the line but the referee couldn’t see the ball grounded. From the scrum 5 re-start No 8 Jack Goodey broke. Pace and power took him through the defence on an unstoppable run and he touch down to the delight of the whole Brecon contingent. Although the conversion failed the short time that remained was played out in the St Peters half with Brecon closing out the game completely on top.

Brecon’s next challenge comes at home next Saturday against second placed Porth Harlaquins.