Fixture

As the season enters its final phase of six important matches, Brecon recognised both the significance and severity of the final challenges. Saturday’s visitors were fifth placed Dunvant, a team that Brecon defeated by the narrowest of margins in the December away fixture. Just two league places below Brecon and with Dunvant looking both to secure points in their drive towards promotion and seeking revenge following that narrow defeat, they undoubtedly posed a major challenge. The fact that Brecon recorded a 29 points to nil victory, and claimed a try bonus point, while denying their opponents a score, showed that the team had prepared well, and that the execution and performance on the day was in stark contrast to the lack lustre performance in their previous match at Tata Steel. Head coach, Dale McIntosh summed the afternoon up perfectly, "Today we saw a big performance against a big side. Our defence was outstanding and our play in general was excellent. We obviously were in a good place mentally and physically we did all that was asked of us." In conclusion Dale thanked his players and his coaching team of Gavin Dacey, Owen Sheppeard and Darran Harris, but added, “Well done today, but we have another mountain to climb when we face unbeaten league leaders, Narberth, on our own patch next Saturday.

For all those present at Parc de Pugh there was total agreement with the statement that Brecon’s defence had been outstanding throughout the afternoon particularly during the first half. For the first forty minutes Brecon played into the wind and they were put under pressure particularly when outside half Adam Williams Parry used the wind, both to gain ground, and to exert territorial pressure. Within the first ten minutes he kicked a great 50/22 to set up a line out close to the Brecon line and then he kicked wide for winger Jack Coker who was in space. Both attacks, and others, were clinically deal with by the Brecon defence which showed pace off the defensive line, clinical execution of low tackles and good organisation and communication.

When the half time whistle arrived the scoreboard read, Brecon 7, Dunvant 0. That seven-point lead, against the wind, was earned, not just by the defence, but also with some great finishing and very exciting attacking play. The build up to that first try encapsulated all that was good about Brecon’s play. It started with a great double tackle on halfway by the excellent centre partnership of Tomos Davies and Tom Richards. Richards was quick to release and then latch on to the ball to win a penalty. Jake Newman then kicked to touch on the Dunvant 22. Osian Davies won the line out off Aneurin James’ throw and the pack attempted to drive the maul forward. Dunvant held. Scrum half Geraint Workman then took control of the ball with a look to the narrow blind side before booming out a long pass to inside centre Tomos Davies. He took the ball on the run and delivered a lovely pass to outside half Jake Newman who had looped outside. With blind side wing, Sam Jones in the line as a decoy, Newman threw a great long pass out to full back Jake Crockett, who left the last defender with an outside step and ran in to score his tenth try of an injury disrupted season. Newman converted.

As the teams trooped off at halftime there was a feeling that, with the wind now in their favour, Brecon had perhaps what was a winning advantage and an advantage that they fully deserved. Apart from their clinical finish and stern defence they also excelled in an area which has let them down on occasions in the past. Their clearing out work at the breakdown was as good as it has been all season. The back row of Ioan Edwards, Osian Davies and Matthew Williams were prominent in this area although it was undoubtedly a fifteen man effort.

The second half started well for the home side. Wing Ryan Davies chased hard after the kick off and tackled Williams Parry deep in the visitors 22 before he could get the kick away. Dunvant scrambled the ball into touch and off the line out Brecon attacked. Wide on the right Tom Richards made inroads before the ball was switched back inside to Ioan Edwards who made ground and Dunvant were caught offside at the breakdown. Newman easily increased Brecon’s lead to ten points. After a further eight minutes Brecon increased their lead again after a great build up. From a scrum on their ten metre line Brecon kept the ball in hand. On halfway Dunvant dragged Tom Richards down and Ioan Edwards was first to claim the ball at the breakdown. Newman put in a lovely kick towards the corner and Dunvant full back, Harvey Jones could only clear to the 22. Edwards won the line out off James’ throw and again Workman passed straight to Tomos Davies. The centre linked with partner Tom Richards who almost made the try line with his straight run. When the ball was recycled the Dunvant defence had been drawn and Newman’s wide pass put wing Sam Davies over for his 17try of the season.

Brecon should have been able to push on immediately from there but for a period their line out malfunctioned and Dunvant threatened for the first time in the half. The threat was stemmed by some good disruptive work by second row Ben Pritchard who won a penalty. On the hour mark Brecon scored their third try. Again the play started with a line out on the Dunvant 22. This time James threw short for Thomas Davies to win the ball. Tom Richards again broke the first line of defence and Osian Davies carried to within 7 metres of the line. A quick Tomos Davies pop pass to supporting Ioan Edwards, kept the move flowing and from the breakdown, Man of the Match, Jake Newman dummied through the disorganised defence to score and convert.

With 20 minutes to go and with the wind and a 22 point lead Brecon should have comfortably claimed their bonus try but they were made to work hard for it. Dunvant twice threatened when first centre Joe Parker broke and then Jacob Hopkins made good ground before being cut down by another great Tomos Davies tackle. Then they almost immediately scored when they reverted to a pick and drive game. After numerous phases they were held up on the Brecon try line. The game then was marred by a few unsavoury incidents as players lost control. When things finally settled down, Brecon finished strongly. A move which looked to have created a try was pulled back for crossing then the ball was dropped on the try line before a great Newman 50/22 kick gave Brecon a line out in the corner. Brecon drove and Dunvant were penalised. From the scrum Brecon drove to the line before the ball popped out. Brecon managed to regain the ball and off the breakdown 2nd Row Sam Prosser scored and Newman converted.

To crown a great afternoon Brecon Athletic defeated Dunvant by 17 points to 7 with Man of the match Josh Hamilton scoring a great try. Then the news came through that the Youth team won by 46 points to 12 at Dinas Powys for a very successful and productive match day.