Brecon RFC

63 The Watton
Brecon
Powys
LD3 7EL

Tel: 01874 624848
Fax: 01874 624381
contact@breconrfc.co.uk

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Club Newsletters

BRECON RFC NEWSLETTER November 2009

Senior Teams

We got off to a great start to the season. Pre-season training went well with good numbers turning out. New coaches Scott Edwards and Gareth Williams settled in quickly and by the time the season started we were looking good. We opened the season with a very exciting win at Pentyrch and followed that up with a crushing defeat of Llandaff. In our next away game at Llanishen we started very well until injuries hit. Three players were taken off at with serious injuries mid way through the first half. We lost that game but bounced back to gain a great win at Treherbert but again we suffered the loss of influential player, Brett Johnson. Since that match we have struggled to record a win and continued to pick up injuries. In three matches we have been in a position to win while leading and having the elements in our favour but we have failed to hold on. With a little more composure and control we could now be challenging at the top of the table.

On the plus side has been the number of young players who have made their mark at senior level. At times we have fielded what must be one of the youngest senior sides to represent Brecon RFC. We have seen the likes of Seb Evans making the transition from a regular second XV player to becoming a fixture in the 1st XV. Martyn Jones has done the same with what can only be described as an outstanding season to date. Sadly on Saturday at Penarth he became our latest injury victim. We have also seen some players in outstanding form. Eurin Morgan is all class on the wing while Huw Baldwin in the centre and Owen Morgan have put in some great performances and Rob Price has shown great versatility for a young player in his unaccustomed role at full back. Wyn Davies has also made a big impression in the unaccustomed role of open side flanker. Other players to show up well are second row Alex Dalton, who has joined us this season from Cefn Coed and young prop Jack Herring, both of whom have played some part in every game to date.

While the youngsters have played a big role in the season so far, two of the more senior members of the side have also played a big part. Gareth Owens has been a permanent fixture at pop while Paul Williams, reverting to his scrum half role and taking over the acting captaincy, has been hugely influential in most of the games.

The increased numbers in training and the greater commitment shown by players has been greatly beneficial to the 2nd XV. They have had an outstanding start to the season with their only defeat to date coming last Saturday at home to Dowlais. The mounting injury toll is now having an effect and for once the break for the Autumn Internationals could prove helpful in allowing players to regain their fitness to play.

Youth

Coaches Tony Price and Brian Pritchard have had their work cut out in pulling together a very young youth squad. After a great win against Abergavenny the side has been hard pressed but shown great resilience in all their matches. To add to their difficulties they too have suffered with injuries and it is to be hoped that they can quickly be resolved so that the team can move forward.

Honours

While it is still early season, Brecon players have already started to make their mark. Andy Powell of course has been again selected for the Wales Autumn International Squad and we all hope that he makes as big an impact as he made last season when he first entered the International arena.

Sam Hobbs continues his progress towards the highest reaches of Welsh rugby. While a regular with Pontypridd he has made his Heineken Cup debut with the Blues in their home win against Harlequins. Hopefully we will see more of him on our T.V. screens as the season progresses.
Lewis Smout has had a remarkable start to the season. As a seventeen year old he has turned out for our seniors, Pontypridd and has played for East Wales against the West in a Wales under 20’s trial. Should he make his way into the Wales squad it would be a remarkable achievement for so young a prop.

Darran Harris and Alwyn Lee are continuing to make progress with the Blues and will be hoping that this year they can follow up on last year’s National success with selection to the Wales Under 18 team.

Juniors

Our Juniors have had a good start to the season. Perhaps the outstanding teams to date have been the under 13’s and under 15’s. They have won most of their matches and are playing attractive rugby. The under 12’s have also been outstanding in the games they have played but they have been unfortunate in that they are a victim of their own previous success with too many teams are calling off fixtures with them. Hopefully as other sides adjust to the demands of 15 a side rugby they will start to provide our under 12’s with regular opposition.

Minis

All our Mini teams are enjoying huge success. The reports and results on the website are a joy to read ( www.breconrfc.co.uk ). To date our Mini’s have played 27 matches with only two defeats and one draw recorded against us. Many of the teams remain unbeaten and their quality of play and sportsmanship is a tribute to the loyal band of helpers, supporters and coaches who attend to their needs.

Lottery

The lottery draw continues every Friday. To date we have banked over £5,000 into the Club’s Development Fund. The Prize Total now stands at £5250 and the investment of just £1 could bring a great return. The club would like to thank all those who regularly contribute and encourage those who don’t to start to support this worthwhile effort. If we can increase our sales then together with Donations and Vice Presidents’ Subscriptions we could get close to banking £20,000 by the end of the year. By that time we should have the result of our application for grant Aid from the WRU. If we are successful then by this time next year we should have floodlighting on Parc de Pugh.

Advance Notice – End of Season Awards Evenings

This year, the traditional end of season Awards’ Evening, will take on a completely different form. The date set aside for the evening is Friday 28th May. Don Howe and a group of helpers are in the process of booking a marquee, to be sited at Parc de Pugh for the Bank Holiday Weekend, and the catering. Players, members and partners are invited to this Black Tie event where entertainment will be provided by a Comedian and Live Band. The cost of tickets can only be estimated at present but it is likely to be in the range of £45. Players have already started to save on a weekly basis for the event and so support from the playing section of the club is guaranteed. We hope that the event will be supported by the whole of the club.

To make full use of the marquee we will be offering the facilities to outside groups for Saturday while Sunday 20th May has been set aside for its use as the venue for our Mini and Junior Awards’ Evening.

Autumn International Tickets
The Club has a number of tickets which it must sell for the following Internationals:-

Wales v Argentina _ Wales v Australia
21st November _______28th November

The club is offering one free ticket for a junior/mini member with each adult ticket purchased for the Wales v Argentina International
Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for the above match should contact the club or Peter Owens (01874 624381 or 07967698213)

Ron Rowsell