Fixture

Senghenydd RFC | Senghenydd Athletic 17 - 20 Brecon RFC | Brecon Athletic
Dafydd Edwards
1 Try
Gari Davies
2 Conversion
2 Penalty
Rhys Evans
1 Try

Match Report
10 October 2021 / Team News

Seghenydd 2nd XV 17 - Brecon 2ndXV 20

With the 1st XV seeing no action, as a result of Bedlinog being unable to raise a team, Brecon RFC’s focus of attention fell on its second XV. Following a good start to the season Brecon have had to endure a series of postponements so it was welcome news when the match at Senghenydd was confirmed. With little continuity in recent weeks there was a feeling that the season was almost starting all over again and Brecon’s second string fielded a number of changes. At outside half Gari Davies was welcomed back to the fold and in spite of his long lay-off he put in an outstanding complete performance. He kicked the ball beautifully both out of hand and off the tee where he was flawless, slotting two conversions and two penalties. He also created one of Brecon’s tries and linked smoothly with his backs.

Also making his first start of the season was hooker, Rhys Evans. Rhys performed well around the field and his accurate throwing at the line out helped Brecon gain dominance at this phase. Against much bigger opponents he expertly picked out his main jumpers, Mitch Collacott, Owain Williams and Iwan Davies and they for their part competed well on their opponents throw. With plenty of ball at this phase Brecon were able to dominate territory for long periods. In spite of this advantage Brecon found it hard to break down the Senghenydd defence. This could have proved costly as, Senghenydd, when they the opportunity, were clinical and dangerous. This pattern was clearly established during the first quarter. Brecon took the game to Senghenydd and looked in control but although there were opportunities they failed to score in spite of some great straight running in midfield from centre James Hellard. When Senghenydd did gain a foothold in Brecon territory they showed how to be finish. Their scrum half, who looked sharp throughout, took a quick tap penalty and their forwards drew the Brecon defence to create an overlap on their left. They exploited that advantage clinically and their wing ran in for the first score.

Brecon hit back straight away with a Gari Davies penalty and again gained good positions in the home half. Number 8 Josh Millichap, in particular, carried hard and effectively but once again opportunities were squandered. Again they were made to pay for their lack of finishing when Senghenydd exposed a narrow defence on Brecon’s right and their winger ran in for his second try which was converted.

With the game entering the final ten minutes of the half Brecon faced a nine point deficit and they needed to bounce back before the break. Making use of both the boot of Gari Davies and the strength of the line out Brecon finally crossed the white wash after an unstoppable drive from a line out ten metres out. Davies converted and Brecon were now just two points behind and soon took the lead. Scrum half Ioan Harris made a great break to win territory and when Senghenydd killed the ball at the breakdown Gari Davies put Brecon ahead with half time approaching. They would have wanted to go into the break with a lead but it wasn’t to be. Not for the first time they gave away a penalty for flopping over and sealing off the ball at the ruck. Once again the Senghenydd scrum half spotted that Brecon’s defence was disorganised and his quick tap, run and lovely wide pass caught Brecon short on their right and their winger scored his third try to re-establish their lead at half time.

The first half had been very entertaining with both sides trying to move the ball, the second half by contrast, however was more of a dour affair. Brecon took control of the game but found it difficult to break down the Senghenydd defence until Gari Davies made a great break. He linked superbly with Dafydd Edwards who sprinted in to score behind the posts. Davies’ conversion gave Brecon a three point lead which they held to the final whistle. So much did they control territory in the second half that they should have won the game by a greater margin but scoring opportunities were squandered. At the final whistle, however, Brecon were pleased to have recorded a good away victory on their return to action.

Players
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