Fixture

Fairwater RFC | 1st Team 12 - 29 Brecon RFC | 1st Team
Jake Crockett
1 Try
Jake Mitchell Newman
2 Conversion
Dan Edwards
1 Try
Jonathan James
2 Try
Dafydd Thomas
1 Try

Match Report
29 March 2015 / Team News

Fairwater 12 - Brecon 29

According to the date we had entered spring time when Brecon travelled south to Cardiff to play Fairwater. Obviously someone had forgotten to update the weather as the match started with a biting wind blowing down the pitch. Fortunately the ground was relatively dry in spite of some earlier heavy rain. With Brecon starting the game needing nine points from their last five matches to be certain of being crowned Division 2 East Central Champions and with Fairwater languishing in the relegation zone this was a match which started with both sides desperately needing points. To some degree the greater need was with Fairwater as Brecon still had some margin for error while Fairwater, placed just three points above the bottom team, had no margin at all.

To some extend the start of the game reflected the needs of the respective clubs. Brecon, in spite of the wind advantage, were lethargic while Fairwater came out all guns blazing. The fact that Brecon have recorded 17 league wins to date as opposed to Fairwater’s 4 should have meant that, particularly with the wind advantage, Brecon would be able to establish a comfortable lead. What followed certainly was not played out according to the script.

In a dour first half Brecon scored a single unconverted try when second row Jonathan James powered over. This score was matched by the home side when they scored an unconverted try of their own. Added to this, Brecon, not for the first time this season, found themselves on the wrong side of the referee. After two yellow cards Brecon found it hard to make progress.

Turning around to face the wind for the second half and with no points advantage was not a pleasant prospect. There was, however, no panic in the Brecon ranks. With confidence high after a run of nine straight victories Brecon shook off the problems of the first half and emerged quite a different team in the second period. Forced to keep the ball tight and in hand into the gale Brecon’s forwards took control. Their close driving play was effective and although Fairwater benefitted from the wind at their backs they had to spend long periods defending and Brecon took control of the game and the scoreboard.

Jonathan James pounced for his second try of the afternoon before Jake Crockett once again got his name on the score sheet with his 22nd try from a total of 21 appearances. Captain Dan Edwards chipped in for his first try of the season and No 8 Craig Davies was rewarded for another outstanding game when he dived in for the team’s fifth try, two of which were converted.

Leading by 29 points to 5 and with a bonus point in the bag Brecon eased off in the final minutes and Fairwater were deservedly awarded a penalty try when they were illegally obstructed near the Brecon line. The action resulted not only in the final score of the afternoon but also in Brecon collecting their third yellow card.

The bonus points win was celebrated as it consolidated Brecon’s lead at the head of the league but only later, when news filtered through from other matches, was the significance of the win truly appreciated. Out of the chasing pack of four teams, Porth, Pontyclun, Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd and St Joseph’s, the only victors to emerge on the day was St Jospeh’s. All other teams fell a further 5 points behind Brecon. As a result Brecon have now at least guaranteed themselves second place and promotion. A further two points from the remaining four games, three at home and one away, would guarantee the League title for the Parc de Pugh outfit, an outstanding return for the year. Yet the final act still has to be played out with and intriguing match at Parc de Pugh next Saturday. The visitors, St Joseph’s, have climbed the table since the start of 2015 and have now recorded seven consecutive wins. They are now the only team that can mathematically overtake Brecon at the head of the table although they are nineteen points adrift with four matches to play. However, they have a chance and they would dearly like to turn over the league leaders on their own ground. By the same token Brecon would dearly love to clinch the title in their back yard by defeating the team placed second. It all creates a fascinating background to the match itself which hopefully will be played out in some spring sunshine.

Players
Gallery

There doesn't appear to be any tagged photos.

Upload and Tag Photos
|