Fixture

Brecon RFC continued their pre-season preparations with a journey across Offa’s Dyke and into unfamiliar territory, for a warm up match with Marlborough RFC. The long pre match journey was certainly a new experience for the team but it was wholly appropriate as the Club prepares to move into uncharted territory when their campaign in Championship West commences. Getting the journey out of their legs and facing unfamiliar opposition is something that the players and management team will have to overcome as they travel west to places such as Crymych, Newcastle Emlyn and Narberth.

With the match divided into thirds there was a great opportunity to give all 26 of the travelling squad members an opportunity to be involved in a competitive match. For them, as individuals, it was also an opportunity to show their coaches what they can offer as an individual and how well they can fit into the overall team plan. For the coaches, Dale McIntosh, Gavin Dacey and Owen Sheppeard, it was the opportunity to learn more about the players in competitive match environment and to assess how well they are adapting to and implementing plays and team patterns which have been introduced on the training ground.

The fact that Brecon emerged as 42 points to 22 winners must have pleased the coaches from the point of view that while the pre-season match was part of a preparation and learning process, the habit of winning is a priceless commodity. Five of their six tries were great team efforts. The first was scored within the first few minutes. Marlborough lost possession at the kick off and Osian Davies secured the ball on the ground. Wonderful hands across the backs, gave right wing Sam Jones a chance. He made a half break, presented the ball on the ground and outside half Jake Newman put in a beautifully delicate kick over the defence, regathered, scored and converted. Brecon’s second try was an outstanding team effort which started from an unpromising position. Marlborough had hit back with a try off a line out drive and were again attacking with a line out in the Brecon 22. The ball was overthrown and Iwan Dowling Jones gathered and charged at the defence before off-loading. The ball was spread quickly and accurately, wide to wing Darran Harris who made a great barnstorming run full of power and pace. As the last cover approached, he fed inside to supporting Jake Crockett, who gave the scoring pass to Logan McIntosh. Newman converted.

Marlborough, playing down the slope, hit back again, first with a try scored by their quick-thinking scrum half who took a quick tap penalty and used his pace to get behind the retreating Brecon defence, and then they took the lead as the first quarter ended through another rolling maul.

Now playing down the slope, Brecon dominated a second third in which they scored four converted tries. The first came from a line out in the 22. The ball initially was moved wide, but a pull back pass brought wing Ben Griffin into the line and he carved through to score. The next was a brilliant individual effort featuring flanker Osian Davies. From just outside the 22 he broke through tackle after tackle to score under the posts. The third followed a quick tap on the Marlborough 22 and a great wide pass from centre Ollie Lewis allowed his partner, Tomos Davies, to cross in the corner. For the fourth, wing Ben Griffin was again involved. He countered from deep, cut back inside beautifully and put in a superbly weighted kick beyond the covering players. Jake Crockett showed great pace to come from behind and win the race to the touch down.

The game was won by that point, and Brecon opted for lots of changes as they again played up the slope in the final third. Marlborough deservedly claimed to only score of the period when their second row broke around the fringe of the ruck catching the Brecon defence unprepared.

The win was celebrated at the final whistle but the real positive that will have come out of the match will be what the coaches will have learned and how they apply that information as they continue their preparations for the season.

On the negative side they will have been disappointed with the number of penalties they gave away during the first third. This helped Marlborough to end the third in the lead and they cannot, similarly, cough up so much hard-earned territory and possession in league matches. The problem may have resulted from the different interpretation of the referee, particularly at the breakdown, but players will have to learn to adapt, as they did as the game entered the second third.

They also gave away two tries off driving, rolling mauls. This is a play, which when executed well, is difficult to stop legally. The other two tries came from being caught slightly flat footed in defence. The home scrum half was quick and his willingness to tap and go caused problems, while the final try, for once, caught Brecon unprepared at the fringe of a ruck when the ball shot out. A few line out throws also went astray although the wind was difficult and contributed to the inaccuracy.

On the positive side Brecon showed great ambition and for the most part the accuracy required to match the ambition. Some of the backs’ movement was excellent and the forward support and work at the breakdown, once they adapted to the referee, was very good. Strength in depth has improved enormously. On the day five players filled back three positions and all showed up well in one way or another. Jake Crockett showed pace to score his try and contributed to at least two others. Ben Griffin came infield to collect the pass and score his try, created another with his run and kick ahead and looked dangerous with ball in hand. Sam Hellard also caused problems for the opposition with his great balance and movement, while Sam Jones, off limited possession, showed glimpses of what he can offer. Finally, Darran Harris continued where he left off last year with a deadly combination of pace and power. In the centre Tomos Davies took his try well and is an accomplished footballer. Ollie Lewis offers directness and power and a good pair of hands while newcomer Geraint Walsh is a genuine footballer showing great skills with ball in hand and with his boot when he moved to the number 10 berth. It was great to see Jake Newman back sharing the 10 role after a year out with injury and looking as if he back to near his best. At scrum half both Carl Blacker and Geraint Workman provide Brecon with a good link and a willingness to attack themselves when appropriate. In the front row, it is clear, the strength and options have increased enormously. Hookers Aneurin James, Johnny Bowen and Dewi Edwards are well established and all showed their individual strengths. New additions at prop include, Sam May, Owain, James, and Evan Price who linked effectively with the ever impressive and mobile, Iwan Dowling Jones and Richie Davies. The second row was an area where numerically Brecon were short of options. Young Ben Pritchard played well alongside new signing Jordan Charles but their fitness was tested with few other options available on the day. However, they will have learned a lot. Finally in the back row there was the evidence of strength with Osian Davies, on his return to Brecon colours, making a big contribution and linking well with two other outstanding performers, Matthew Williams and Logan McIntosh. One other question remains to be answered. Where will Kristian Dacey play, centre or flanker? He was used sparingly in this warm up match but he has vast experience an ability. One hit on a big Marlborough carrier showed something of what he has to offer.

Thus, when the match is analysed, surely the positives will well outweigh the negatives particularly as the squad seemed to be injury free and with another group of unavailable or inured players waiting in the wings. It will now be interesting to see how Brecon cope with Premiership outfit Newport, next Saturday (19^th), 2:30 kick off at Parc de Pugh. Do not miss it!