Fixture

Saturday saw Brecon stretch their lead at the top of Division 2 East Central to 11 points with a hard fought 25-20 win at Parc-de-Pugh against a stubborn and physical Porth Quins side which started the day in second place in the league.

In front of a good crowd, Brecon started the stronger of the two sides, and despite playing up the slope, made good inroads into the Porth half with debutant second row Rhys Varney prominent. Despite their share of possession, they could not turn the pressure into points and it was the visitors who struck with their first venture into the Brecon 22. A penalty kicked into the home side 22 saw a line out and a series of drives by the visiting team. When the ball was moved wide, a mix up in the Brecon defence saw the Porth three-quarters create the overlap and winger Callum Rowe went over unopposed in the corner for an unconverted score.

This sparked Brecon into life and their response was almost instant. Following the kick off Brecon were awarded a penalty which was kicked to the corner. A series of charges towards the visitors line with both forwards and backs combining well saw the Porth defence stretched and when space was created down the blindside, Gari Davies gave a perfect floating pass to winger Jake Crockett who scorched over for a try.

With the penalty count increasing against Porth due to their indiscipline, it was Brecon who had the better of the possession, but some unnecessary off loads gifted possession back to the visitors. It was from one such turnover that Porth struck next. Srong defence saw Porth regain possession and an attack from deep saw centre Dan Hitching outstrip a hesitant Brecon defence to score their second unconverted try.

A penalty by Davies saw Brecon close the gap and was they were reward for another period of pressure in the visitor half. With the home sides back three of Morgan, Crockett and Newman solid under the clearance kicks, Brecon had good attacking option and it was a well placed kick return, from Man of the Match Joey Morgan, which led to the next score. A penalty following handling in the ruck was kicked to the corner. Great line-out work by Danny Howe was followed by a controlled forward drive and hooker Josh Davies emerged from the pile of bodies to claim the score. A superb touchline conversion by Davies against the breeze saw Brecon go into the lead and into half time 15-10 to the good.

Brecon started the second half well but another spilt off load allowed Porth to regain possession and work their way into the Brecon 22. Once again a gap opened in the home defence and Porth full back Greg Morris dummied his way over to level the scores.

The visitors grew in confidence and now it was Brecon who were under pressure. Using their large pack to batter the Brecon defence, it was second row Adam Egger who barged his way over for Porth’s fourth unconverted try and giving them a lead with the score at 20-15.

Brecon were now under pressure but any doubts that the game was slipping away was dispelled by one of the tries of the season. A fine break through midfield by centre Eifion Jones and a deft off load to fellow centre Rob Price saw Brecon gain territory in the Porth 22. Quick recycled ball was moved to the right of the field where Jake Crockett went over for his second try of the game and his 17^th of the season to date. The unconverted try levelled the scores and rejuvenated the Brecon side which now looked the fitter of the two.

Unfortunately the Brecon team was forced into a reshuffle in the backs following an injury to influential outside half Gari Davies. This turned out to be a nasty leg and ankle injury and the club wish him well in his recovery.

Following a penalty miss by Porth, another series of carries, with Varney, Howe, Jonny James and Davey Herdman prominent, saw Brecon pressurise the Porth defence. Once in the visitors 22 a storming run by hooker Josh Davies saw the ball moved wide again and to the delight of the home supporters, centre Rob Price stepped inside the cover tackles to score Brecon’s 4^th try. This gave them a five point lead  although the match was far from over. Porth pushed hard for the score they required and their attacks were repelled by some good tackling with flanker Dafydd Thomas particularly effective in this area.

After Brecon gave a penalty away on just inside their half, the visitors elected to kick to the corner for the line out. A great steal by Danny Howe 5 metres out allowed Jake Newman to send a booming kick spiralling to half way and relieve the pressure. With time running out, this seemed to dent the confidence of the visitors and Brecon picked the tempo up once again. Porth were forced to live off limited possession and had to attack from deep. When space ran out, they were forced to kick into Brecon’s half, where the calming influence of replacement full back Celfyn Davies dealt with the ball confidently. The match was closed out in the Porth half and at the final whistle, the delight of the side was evident to see following the victory over their nearest rivals.

Next week sees Brecon travel down to the capitol and play Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd, the only side who have defeated them in the league this season. After that defeat at home in early November, Brecon will be looking for revenge in what is promising to be an enthralling encounter.