Fixture

After a short break for the World Cup Final, Brecon returned to the serious issue of trying to climb out of the bottom four at the foot of the table. Facing opponents, Ynysybwl, who held a top four place meant that the task facing Brecon was never going to be an easy one and any points from the match would be welcome. As the teams took the field the one positive was the return of captain, Dafydd Thomas. Having been injured prior to the start of the season Dafydd had only made one previous appearance out of the eight matches played and in that match he sustained a new injury. Joining him on the field was another returnee Danny Howe and so there were some positives although a total of six members of the 1^st XV squad still remained unavailable.

With the weather finally turning autumnal, and accompanied by a strong wind and heavy pitch, the outcome of the match certainly depended on which side could adapt to the conditions. After a minute’s silence in memory of Brecon’s former steward and stalwart former player and supporter, Brecon started with the wind at their backs. From the Kick Off Ynysybwl kept the ball created width and drew a penalty. Their drive off the line out was finally halted by the touch line just 5 metres out and Brecon cleared. Joey Morgan made a great run and Brecon imposed pressure. A number of poor line outs ensured that Brecon could not capitalise on the territorial advantage.

A good Gari Davies kick to the corner led to a Brecon scrum on 5 metres and Brecon were inches short of scoring. When Ynysybwl threatened Dafydd Thomas made a great tackle and Gari Davies cut through only to see his support tackled without the ball. Gari Davies easily converted the penalty.

Danny Howe brilliantly took the kick off and a Jake Newman kick put Brecon immediately back on the offensive.  Another penalty followed and Davies added another three points.

The next kick off was a complete contrast. Under no pressure Brecon spilled the ball and a penalty was given away and Dion MacIntosh reduced the deficit.

Again Brecon returned to opposition territory. Eifion Jones made a great break but the opportunity was lost as Brecon gave away a penalty. The failure to take the opportunities was costly as Ynysybwl moved into the home half and made their pressure tell when second row Neil Griffithe ploughed over for a try in the corner. Brecon claimed a penalty and with the last kick of the half Gari Davies went for a long penalty. Its failure left Brecon to face the wind in the second half with a two point deficit.

Into the wind Brecon started well but their line out continued to malfunction. For the first ten minutes the game was played in the middle of the field. However, a change in the Brecon pack resulted in the scrum being shunted backwards and Ynysybwl centre Gareth King cut through to score.

Brecon responded but poor hands let them down after Rob Price carved through a hole in the middle. The game fell away as far as Brecon was concerned when they were trundled back 20 metres with an unstoppable maul and Ynysbwl scored a converted try.

Brecon responded and from a line out in the 22 they imposed pressure and hooker Elgan Lewis broke for a try which Jake Newman converted from out wide.

With two minutes to go Brecon earned a scrum on the Ynysybwl  22 and applied pressure from a much improved scrum but just failed to make the final score.