Fixture

The clock clicking over in to October, and the move into the background of the Autumn colours over the Usk Valley, nevertheless saw sunshine still carpeting the firm playing surface of Parc de Pugh. This was the venue as Brecon Athletic ran out in their first league fixture of a changed season.

With the WRU seeking to encourage clubs in providing wider opportunities through the continued running of additional match day squads, the rebranding of some club teams as the Athletic XVs has seen the creation of competitive leagues to foster some meaningful fixtures throughout the season.

Having played some non-league fixtures, and also coping with something of an injury blight affecting the wider senior squad, this season has seen Brecon field some of its strongest Athletic Teams for some years, with these match day groups being characterised by a large number of young players who have come up through the club’s successful mini and junior section.

The opponents for the first league game were from the town of Abercynon, with their rugby club enjoying a strong reputation and history as one of the more successful and consistent clubs in the region.

Under the guidance of coach, Gari ‘Muncher’ Davies, and skipper James Hellard, Brecon Athletic have sought to develop an ‘all court’ game, seeking to play with width whilst not losing sight of the importance of securing possession through a strong set piece. As the teams took the pitch, the nature of the opponents indicated that the home squad would need to work very hard on the latter element, and ensure that they remained competitive in that area.

This proved to be a key element on the whole narrative of the game, as the physical opponents sought to impose their own game plan on their hosts, and to prevent the ability of the Brecon team to create the necessary momentum, and generate the high tempo, that they aspired to.

Another factor was the need to maintain a high degree of control and discipline, particularly in the close quarter phases of the game, as the match official sought to ensure that the teams were robust in this regard.

As the game evolved, it was clear that the home squad became more prone to falling foul of the interpretations, and this led to the game becoming very staccato insomuch as the teams were not able to produce consistent and continuous phases of play. It was to Brecon’s credit however that, as outlined below, they were able, on the final whistle, to emerge as comfortable winners.

The stop-start nature of the game reduced the flow and tempo that the home team were hoping to achieve, and this enabled the visitors to keep a foothold in the game, particularly as they took advantage of a number of penalty decisions to kick for the corners to develop their driving maul, a tactic that was their strongest feature, and which led to their scores.

The Brecon squad competed admirably throughout the game, and were on the verge of ‘cutting loose’ on a number of occasions, only for an error, or decision, to halt that flow. The props Rhys Mills and Sion Windebank came under considerable pressure in the set pieces, yet they emerged with enormous credit as they absorbed all the force coming through and, ultimately, enjoyed impressive outings in the tight and loose.

Between them, hooker Elis Jenkins, one of a number of players in his first season of senior rugby, was an energetic and dynamic presence whose set piece work, particularly his line-out throwing, was of good quality, supported by him being a highly visible and effective presence in attack and defence. His reward for his efforts included him crossing the whitewash for one of Brecon’s seven tries.

No less impressive in his efforts, was the contribution of the elder Jenkins, Rhodri, who was a powerful presence in the second row, and who was one of the more influential players on the park. He was a physical option in terms of his carrying in the loose, and was a significant contributor in the tighter phases, particularly the line-out where we won some quality ball for his team, but was also able to counter a lot of the Abercynon work at the driving maul, this, as mentioned above, being a real strength of theirs. Rhodri’s efforts in this regard contributed to the visitors having their scoring opportunities limited.

His partner in the second row, Dewi Worwood, continues with his improved performances, and he is growing into an integral part of the forward pack. He was a prominent contributor, particularly in the loose, and he is bringing his strength and bulk to the fore in terms of his contributions.

The back row of the Athletic forward unit all added some real quality to the team efforts, each in their own distinctive ways. Blindside flanker Rhodri Workman brought his Ironman fitness to the table, and he was a constant thorn in the visiting teams’ side as he was ever present in foiling their efforts at the breakdown, and also defending strongly. He, too, was rewarded for his efforts with a try after he provided intelligent support to an attack by the outside backs.

Openside Iwan Davies maintained his quality and consistency and, whilst being singled out for occasional attention by the visitors, he never faltered in terms of his committed defence and his dynamic contribution to the breakdown.

The Back Row trio was completed by Josh Millichap who came on the provide his usual vigorous contribution, and he was an effective presence both with ball in hand, and without. His important contribution was reflected in the fact that he was able to cross the line to ensure that the home team maintained an important buffer on the scoreboard as the visitors toiled to reduce the arrears.

When play was allowed to flow, the strong efforts of the Brecon eight provide a platform for their back line colleagues to play increasingly influential roles in the game.

The essential link was provided by young half backs Tom Phillips, and Joe Palmer. The former was a smooth presence at nine, with swift and accurate service to the wider backs, and he was also alert to any attacking opportunity that came about. He too got onto the score sheet with, potentially, the try of the game, as he supported an initial drive by the powerful Davies, before embarking on a swift and elusive dart to the line that saw a number of visiting defenders beaten.

His partner at ten belied his youth with a mature performance at fly half. His kicking, both off the ground and out of the hand, was of a high standard, and his success rate at goal was in the high 80s percentage. He was also to put his dexterity to good use as he varied the attacking options by bringing the forwards into the game with short passes, or also firing out some longer efforts to focus the point of attack out wide.

Both half backs can be immensely proud of their efforts in their first season in senior rugby, and they are proving key contributors to the successful start to the season by the Athletic squad.

Feeding off this service, the centre partnership were a powerful defensive unit, yet also provided some key attacking moments as they sought to break down the dogged visiting defensive line. Skipper James Hellard is a real focal point of the team`s efforts and he has developed his game such that he offers a powerful attacking threat which, allied to his great handling skills, means that he provides a platform from which the wider attacking options can be developed. He was one of seven names to get on the score sheet.

His centre partner, Rhys Peters, continues his impressive run of form which has seen him contribute positively to the first team squad this season. He offers an elusive and powerful attacking option, and he showed great awareness in choosing his lines of running. This enabled him to add his name to the score sheet as, following a loose kick from the Abercynon 22, winger Joey Morgan counter attacked swiftly, before switching intelligently with Rhys to allow the latter to run in under the posts.

Joey’s efforts were indicative of the contribution of the back three, as they provided a real attacking threat from deep and were key players in most of the home team’s wider attacking efforts. Joey was a constant threat with the ball in hand, and it was good to see him returning to Brecon colours again. His pace and power mean that he offers a real threat to any defence, and he was influential in the attacking efforts of the team.

James Price on the other wing is also someone who brings power and pace to proceedings, and his darting runs with ball in hand induced some panic in the visiting defence. He was also effective in defence himself, as he and his colleagues subdued any attacking intent from the Abercynon back line.

Completing the back three was fullback Dafydd Edwards, who was a calming presence in the way he was able to deal with the kicks out of defence by Abercynon, and was always looking for opportunities to attack from deep, often by changing the point of attack completely. He also looked to provide a ball carrying option, be it out wide, or by running lines of shoulders to keep defences thinking.

The squad was completed by a bench who all had the opportunity to contribute to proceedings. Unfortunately, injury curtailed the efforts of Rhys Evans, who was unable to show his range of skills in the time he was on.

Lastly, but not least, Al Taylor was able to enter the fray to provide an experienced hand on the tiller, and a calm guiding presence as the young home squad worked their way through the closing stages of the game.

The final score of 47-15 represented a thoroughly deserved victory for Brecon Athletic, and came in spite of, as outlined above, the rather stilted pattern to the game. To still score the points that they did, and in the varied manner that they achieved this, reflects well on their efforts and option taking, and provides a real base for the team as they move forward in the season.

It also provides evidence that, notwithstanding the list of current injuries to the senior squad, there is an emerging depth of talent rising, with all these players proving themselves capable of contributing to all that the club is trying to achieve this season.