Fixture

On a beautifully calm and warm late spring evening, Brecon’s extended season finally concluded at Sardis Road, Pontypridd. There they faced Championship team, Ystrad Rhondda, in the final of the Mid District Cup. This was just the second occasion in Brecon’s long history that they have reached the Final of the Mid District Cup. Their previous appearance in that Cup final took place back in 1980 when they narrowly lost to Penygraig. Thus, although they played their last competitive match some three weeks previously and that the cricket season was now well upon us, this was a game of some significance for both sides. Brecon, having been promoted to the Championship on the back of a successful league campaign which saw them lose just two matches, were eager to gain some insight into the challenge they are likely to face next season. For Ystrad this was more of a celebration match at the end of a successful season. At the end of a run of 20 matches, with just two defeats they claimed fourth place in the Championship and reached the Championship Cup Final where they just lost, 29 – 31, to unbeaten Championship and Cup winners, Pontypool. However, the game also had a serious edge for the Championship side. Having come so close in League and Cup competitions they wanted to end the season with some silverware and the prestigious Mid District Cup was just what the team and its supporters wanted to close out the season. In the end they achieved their goal with a 30 points to 13, four tries to two, victory. On paper that seemed comfortable enough but in truth the game was far more competitive than the score suggests.

Brecon certainly started the game the better of the two sides. Ioan Edwards, who had an excellent match, set the tone with a great take at the kick off, an effective run and good presentation after the tackle. Jake Crockett cleared well and when Brecon won a penalty at the first scrum, thanks to the good work of front row Lewis Smout, Aneurin James and Andy Nicholl, Morgan Price kicked deep into the Ystrad 22. From the line out Brecon pressed hard. Logan McIntosh, another back row forward who had an excellent game, was halted just short of the line and Brecon had to settle for a Jake Crockett penalty which gave Brecon a slim three point lead.

That lead was short lived as Ystrad responded immediately. For the first time in the game, they showed their all-round pace and individual skills. Man of the match, right wing, Alex Webber, initiated the move with a run down the right. Ystrad profited from the momentum gained and showed their accuracy in attack as they swept the play left. A great covering tackle by Ben Griffin, another Brecon player to shine, looked to have halted the move but supporting flanker Rhys Dauncey picked up the pop pass to score in the corner.

Ystrad quickly extended their lead with an outstanding try. Brecon worked their way into a good attacking position after a good Logan McIntosh run and a neat kick through by scrum half Carl Blacker. Trying to gather under pressure, Ystrad knocked the ball on and Brecon were awarded a scrum on the Ystrad 22. Brecon seemed to drive the Ystrad pack back but were penalised for angling in and Ystrad reacted far faster than their opponents. They moved the ball right off a quick tap and set Webber away. His pace took him clear of the first line of defence and then he chipped the cover, re-gathered and raced away to score under the posts. Outside half, Rhys Truelove, had the easiest of conversions.

Having succumbed to two quick scores Brecon needed to restore some control to stem Ystrad’s free-flowing attacks. They managed to achieve that but they couldn’t match the clinical nature of their opponents’ offensive play. At times they got themselves into good positions. Centre Ollie Lewis made a couple of strong carries and Aneurin James and Logan McIntosh made good ground. Carl Blacker got close, only to be forced into touch on the five metre line. When Ystrad had a chance they took it even if it was through a penalty which Truelove converted to extend their lead to twelve points.

Almost immediately Brecon responded with their best passage of play to date. Aneurin James put in a huge hit and Jake Crockett made a great break out of defence and up to the Ystrad 22. Brecon won a penalty and kicked for the corner. They set up a good maul at the tail of the line out and then moved the ball to the blind side. Ben Griffin, off the right wing, took the ball in little space, beat his man and drove through the final tackle for a great try in the left corner.

Ystrad put everything into an effort to score again before half time but Brecon’s defence was secure and they held out to trail by seven points at the interval.

Ystrad started the second half the better of the two sides but Brecon defended well and gradually lifted the pressure particularly after a storming McIntosh run out of defence. Brecon won a penalty and set up a line out on the Ystrad 22. From a great attacking position, Brecon suddenly conceded a try. The line out, which had wobbled occasionally, suddenly malfunctioned as the ball was overthrown straight into the arms of flanker Jarrad Llewelyn. He raced through the first line of defence and his pace stretched the cover. He shrugged off an attempted tackle and he scored the most unlikely try in the corner.

Brecon hit back, desperate to cut the deficit but the accuracy was not there. There were flashes of good play as when centre Tomos Davies made a good run or when flanker Matthew Williams ripped the ball free and set up a promising attack, but Ystrad were able to contain these threats although they spent much of the time in their half and on the back foot. Then in a flash they showed their clinical side once again. Brecon lost their line out on the Ystrad 22. The ball was moved right to Webber and he was away on a 60 metre run which ended with his second try and a Truelove conversion.

When Truelove added another penalty to put Brecon twenty two points down there was a worry that Brecon would fall away but they showed character. They went back on the attack with Ioan Edwards and Iwan Dowling Jones being prominent. Morgan Price took a great catch and made a lot of ground through the mid field before Brecon showed patience in attack. They got close a number of times and re-cycled well. Eventually they created the space for Ioan Edwards to break through and score.

The final minutes were played out with Brecon on the attack but the game was by now out of their reach and Ystrad deservedly claimed the victory and the Cup.

With the season over there is now time for a pause, re-set and focus on the challenge ahead. Entering Championship West will be a step into the unknown. Ystrad will have given the team food for thought. They certainly showed the importance and value of overall pace, accuracy and clinical finishing. Brecon will need those attributes as they face a big step up and their success or failure will depend on their work ethic throughout the off season. They have a coaching team that can help them meet the exciting new challenge, now, what they have to do as players is to give them their whole hearted support. With that combined effort they can look forward to what lies ahead with optimism and confidence.