Fixture

Brecon RFC | Youth Team Under 18 28 - 12 Merthyr RFC | Youth Team Under 18
Dafydd Edwards
Conversion 4
Try 1
Geraint Workman
Try 1
Ben Griffin
Try 1
Joshua Pritchard
Try 1

Match Report
26 March 2017 / Team News

Brecon Youth 28 - Merthyr Youth 12

Brecon Youth Repulse the Iron Men

A break from any league and cup action for the time being saw Brecon Youth potentially looking at a free weekend to enjoy the break in weather as Spring arrived. Notwithstanding this, the coaching and management team of Huw Phillips, Al Taylor, and Tom Jones were keen to arrange a fixture of some sorts, to enable the momentum of recent good performances  to continue as they move into a crucial part of the season.

Additionally, there was a need to ensure that all squad members were given an opportunity to play, with chances having been relatively limited given the impressive strength in depth of the squad. This was reinforced by the fact that, as with previous  seasons, the club looks to blood the emerging Under 16 players in readiness for the seasons ahead. It was with this in mind that an opportune phone call from Merthyr, themselves looking at development and the future, provided an deal chance to arrange a fixture that fulfilled all requirements.

Whilst it was a development fixture, the two clubs have been very competitive at mini and junior levels and, whilst Merthyr ply their trade in the league above Brecon, both sides have sought to compete against each at Youth level in recent seasons. It was against this backdrop that Brecon welcomed Merthyr to Parc de Pugh on a clear, fine evening, with the weather and firm surface hinting at some exciting rugby ahead. Brecon have sought to play a high tempo, all surface, attacking game, and the fact that, the previous week they had impressively performed in the wind and rain in Builth Wells, meant that they came into this game with some form behind them.

The side that started the fixture contained a number of Under 16 players, first year Youh boys, and some older players, some playing out fm their normal positions, so there was an element of uncertainty as to what wold unfold. Nevertheless, Brecon pressed immediately from the kick off, and they put their visitors under some extreme pressure. This was quickly evident, and rewarded when, as part of their impressive defensive line speed, fly half Dafydd Edwards charged down a clearing kick from his opposite number which then regathered to plunge over for the first try that he then converted.

This sparked Brecon into a great period of sustained excellence where they controlled the possession and the territory, and were relatively dominant at the set piece. The home outfit showed great enterprise, with huge commitment being shown by the young squad, and they managed to vary their game intelligently, mixing a wider approach with a number of narrower attacking options close to the breakdown. This latter element of their play paved to be very fruitful as both Josh Pritchard and Geraint Workman crossed for scores after sustained phased play with good control and composure.

These two players are indicative of how this season's first year youth players have contributed massively. Josh enjoyed a dominant evening at the breakdown, whilst Geraint remains an attacking threat from the base of breakdown and set piece. Allied to this, Finn Starkey continues to perform consistently to a high level, whilst Henry Morgan Gervis has been a real live wire operating at a high pace, as well as being an effective line out option. Kian Davies was also given some extended game time and showed great commitment as he continues to improve his game and become an important member of the group.

The first half closed down with Brecon the dominant force, although they had started to fall foul of some of the refereeing interpretations at the breakdown and this allowed the visitors to start gaining a foothold deep within home territory, particularly through the impressive left boot of their fly half.

The first period however, drew to a close with Brecon leading by 21-0 with fly half Edwards having added the extra points to the earlier scores. It had been an impressive opening period from the hosts with the only negative being a shoulder injury to winger Lewis Watkins. This is unfortunate as Lewis has proved to be a real physical presence on the wings, and it is hoped that he is able to return to action again soon.

The home coaches were, as part of their goal to develop the wider squad, revolving their substitutions to enable all to have an opportunity. This policy proved fruitful as the newer members of the squad, from the current Under 16 group, were given game time. Amongst these, Iwan Havard proved to be an intelligent and effective presence around the pitch, and Matt Willams brought great energy to his all round contribution. Glyn Powell is coming through the to add to the strength in depth at Hooker, and Dewi Worwood shows great promise in terms of what he can add to the strong forward unit.

Additionally, winger Ben Griffin was given an extended run following Lewis' injury and was central to one of the highlights of the game when, following a turnover in their own 22, fly half Edwards looked to break out through a deft grubber kick to be chased by Ben, and fellow speedster, Lucasz Kakowlewski. On this occasion, the bounce of the ball  favoured the former as he regathered on his own 10 metre line and proceeded to show electric pace to outstrip the covering defence for a magnificent try. Edwards' successful conversion extended the home lead, although this was then followed by a period of the final 20 minutes of the game where Merthyr, in rotating their own bench, started to gain a certain level of ascendancy and managed to fight back into the game. They were rewarded with two tries of their own, following some patient build up, and they looked to finish the game strongly. Their improved performance in this period brought the score back to 28-12, although the home coaches will also have been greatly encouraged by the defensive discipline shown by their own team.

Ultimately, the impressive win was well deserved for the home team, and this has hinted at an evolution of the team over the next few seasons that, hopefully, will see them enjoy success in terms of their own development and enjoyment.

In addition to those who performed on the evening, there are still numbers in double figures of those who have played this season but we're not,involved in this game. This includes some of the leadership group and their return for the latter stages will help drive this impressive squad on. It is also good to see live wire back three player, Tom Griffin, back in the fold and enjoying his rugby.

As ever, it is always productive to look at what improvements can be made, even when having just enjoyed a victory, and a key message from the coaches will be the need to continue to improve the communication on the field such that all are aware of the preferred options open at any one time

The team will lose only a handful of players to the senior ranks next season, although college commitments (subject to putting the revision hours in now!!) may impact on numbers. That should not be perceived as a weakness for this group, as the performances of the emerging players gives evidence of strength in depth that will come through and sustain a competitive squad.

Players
|