Fixture

With the first half of the league season over, Brecon travelled to Blackwood knowing that this was a must win fixture for both teams as they continue to battle to survive in Division 1. Brecon gave themselves a slight advantage over the rest of the relegation haunted teams with their bonus point win against Senghenydd two weeks ago but all that good work could be undone if they slipped to defeat against bottom placed Blackwood. For Blackwood the scenario was simple. A win could give them a chance of moving off the bottom of the table where they have resided since the start of the season. A defeat, however, would leave them at least six points adrift at the foot of the table. In fact defeat for either side would hardly be a heart-warming scenario with Christmas looming, while victory would bring hope for the New Year.

If Brecon could have chosen the conditions for the match they would not have been the conditions that prevailed on Saturday. A dry calm day would have suited the men in red but that was not to be. However, the rain had relented and the strong swirling wind had dried the top surface of the ground, although its gusting and unpredictable nature would undoubtedly cause problems for both sides. Brecon started the game with the wind, generally, at their backs. With this advantage they needed to start well and take their chances to build a score which they could defend in the second half.

Critically they started particularly well up front where the front row of Ryan Harris, Elgan Lewis and Louis Jones out-scrummaged their opponents, putting them constantly under pressure at this phase of play. They also showed that they have learned from their previous failings in defending driving mauls. When Blackwood attempted to drive out their half at the first line out of the game, Brecon, through Louis Jones disrupted the drive and even forced it into retreat. With ball going backwards the scrum half had his kick charged down, Brecon re-gathered and a lovely sweeping move followed. Swift hands moved the ball right and completely outflanked the home defence. Full back Jake Newman was put away on the wide right and he sped in for his eighth try of the season.

With wind advantage, Brecon then dominated the game territorially but for a long time failed to convert their pressure into scores. Some of that failure could be attributed to dropped passes at crucial times but also to their inability to secure line out ball went they had worked their way into an attacking position. To be fair conditions were not easy with a swirling wind but even so supporters began to wonder if their failure to score would in the end prove costly.

As the half wore on so some anxiety began to build as Brecon came close on a number of occasions. Nerves were calmed, however, when Brecon stole a scrum against the head. Scrum half Blake Parata moved the ball swiftly left, Eifion Jones and Rob Price ran straight, thus holding their opposite numbers and Newman broke the line and gave wing Joey Morgan space on the outside. He rode the tackle in the corner and crashed over for the try.

What happened next turned the game in Brecon’s favour. Brecon claimed the kick off and Jake Newman put in a high kick. Two Blackwood defenders were covering the kick but as it swirled in the wind they failed to get under it and fatally allowed it to bounce. Eifion Jones, who had chased hard, was first onto the ball and took it at pace, splitting the last defence to allow himself a clear run in under the posts. Gari Davies converted and Brecon went into the half time break with a 17 point advantage.

The second half didn’t start too promisingly as Brecon gave their opponents chances with a poor tap from a line out and an ill-advised attempted chip when trying to work their way out of their half. Fortunately Brecon survived these scares and a beautifully judged kick by outside half Gari Davies put Brecon into the home 22. Over-vigorous rucking by the home pack gave away a penalty which Davies took quickly only for him to be impeded. Captain, Dafydd Thomas, sensibly opted for a scrum and the front five duly delivered. They drove their opponents back to the line with Dafydd Thomas in complete control of the ball at the back. As they approached the line a Blackwood defender dived in to smother the ball and the referee duly awarded a penalty try which Davies converted.

 The 24 point margin now looked comfortable but Blackwood hit back almost immediately. The defence which hitherto had been watertight suddenly looked fragile as the home Number 7 burst out of a number of tackles. He linked with his support and the left wing was put clear for a well worked try.

This set back was initially not too worrying but when Brecon almost immediately afterwards gifted a try there was just the hint of anxiety. The try itself came from nothing. Brecon secured a good scrum in their half and everyone anticipated a kick upfield. Instead Brecon tried a speculative chip over the defensive line. The chip was not high enough and it was picked off by the tall Blackwood centre who raced through to score.

Visibly Blackwood’s whole body language changed from being resigned to defeat to being bullish and believing we can overhaul this 14 point deficit. Brecon needed to quell this rising tide and in contrast to many games earlier in the season when they caved in, they did what was needed. Davey Herdman carried hard, Andrew Hosie won line out ball and popped up everywhere across the field and Danny Howe tested the home defence with ball in hand. Collectively the pack worked well and from a driving line out which started on the 22 Danny Howe claimed the try as the pack surged over the line. Davies converted and opened up a 21point lead. Brecon came close to a sixth try but in the end it was the battling Blackwood side which had the last word. Defence again was lapse as the Blackwood left wing broke through after gathering a poor kick ahead and faced by a less than well organised chase. The try and conversion brought Blackwood back to within 14 points but that was as close as it got. Brecon ran out clear winners and earned a bonus point and left their opponents with nothing. The win elevated them to seventh in the table but as they have played more games than most of their opponents they know there is still a lot of work to be done.

However, with just a cup match before Christmas remaining they can at least take some time to reflect on how they have shown that they are adjusting to the demands on Division 1 rugby after a difficult start to the season. That feeling of well-being will also be shared by the 2^nd XV who extended their unbeaten league run with a 76 points to 15 win against Llantwit Fadre and the Youth who joined in the celebrations with a 52 points to 3 win against Llandaff North.