Fixture

Nantyglo RFC | 1st Team 13 - 22 Brecon RFC | 1st Team
Jake Mitchell Newman
1 Conversion
5 Penalty
1 Try

Match Report
04 October 2015 / Team News

Nantyglo 13 - Brecon 22

Following a run of three successive defeats Brecon travelled to Nantyglo knowing that another defeat, against rivals with a similar record, would do nothing for the confidence of a team trying to adjust to the physical demands of Division 1 rugby. With the injury list continuing to lengthen it was at least pleasing to see Gareth Owens and Jonathan James return to the team and for them to be joined by newcomer Blake Parata and Ewan Williams on permit from Merthyr. Each of these made an important contribution to a successful afternoon where four precious league points were won.

Ewan Williams, in particular, had a huge impact on the game. Playing somewhat out of position on the open-side of the scrum, he did everything that was asked of him. He harried and carried with purpose, won a large proportion of line out possession and was majestic at cleanly taking the ball from the opposition kick off. Brecon have struggled at this phase all season. Many times they have scored only to allow their opponents to score themselves immediately from the kick off as a result of a failure to gather and clear the ball. Against Nantyglo there was no such problem. Williams commanded the area, regularly taking the ball under pressure and setting it up beautifully to allow his team mates to clear. Right from the first kick off he made his presence felt. When the Nantyglo kick off fell short of ten metres he reacted quicker than anyone else in gathering the ball and go rampaging up the field. With plenty of support the move eventually ended with Jake Newman crossing the line for a try which he converted.

The early seven point lead was a massive boost to the side and although Nantyglo struck back with a penalty of their own Brecon looked more confident than they have for some time. That confidence was built on a far more competitive scrum and improved forward cohesion at the maul and breakdown. The extra bulk that Owens and James provided assisted in both of those phases but also, as opposed to previous weeks, Brecon were far better organised. With the forward base far more solid Brecon cut down on their errors and the number of penalties and for the first time since the first game of the season their opponents were made to work for their points.

There were other important factors which contributed to Brecon’s success. As the game wore on outside half Jake Newman kicked beautifully in defence and attack. His dead ball kicking as immaculate with just one miss from seven attempts at goal resulting in him scoring all of Brecon’s 22 points. This, however, was not the whole story. Out of hand he kicked long and as his confidence grew he also started to kick beautifully for position, dropping the ball in space near the touch lines. His efforts ensured that Brecon gradually took control of the game.

Another factor which made this performance far more satisfactory than previous weeks was the combined spirit of the team. Even when under pressure during a ten minute period when lively hooker Jim Williams was sin binned, the team worked hard for one another. They defended well and Brecon emerged from that ten minute period having matched Nantyglo’s three points from a penalty. When Jim Williams returned Brecon extended their lead to 13 points with two more successful Newman kicks.

They did let Nantyglo back into the match when they conceded a try after they were caught out by a quickly taken tap penalty. With the conversion being successful Brecon’s lead was cut to six points with more than twenty minutes to play. Following recent experiences, when Brecon have folded in the last twenty minutes, their loyal band of supporters and their walking wounded held their breath but they need not have worried. Brecon dominated the last quarter, never really giving their opponents any opportunity to get back into the game.

If there was a disappointing feature it was that their only reward on the scoreboard during this period of dominance was a three point penalty. When they moved the ball wide they looked dangerous but too often moves broke down in the tackle area or when unsympathetic passes were delivered. This frequently happened in tight areas, often close to the line, when soft accurate hands were needed to put a supporting player through a gap. Brecon should also have converted through their growing forward dominance. With Andrew Hosie and Ewan Williams supplying good ball from the line out and with the rolling maul making ground towards the line on a number of occasions Brecon should and with a little more composure, would have scored. That was not to be, but at the final whistle Brecon were happy with their four points for a win away from home.

Brecon must now consolidate on this improved performance and must target a win in next Saturday’s home match against Risca. Another four points would give them some breathing space and with Risca having won just once to date, any other result would be disappointing.

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