Fixture

Having started the season with six consecutive wins, Brecon Athletic then suffered from the stop start nature of the season and followed that up with just one win, a draw and four defeats. With that as the background, Brecon travelled to Aberdare for their re-arranged Conference match knowing that they needed to resurrect their early season form. Travelling mid-week to play under floodlights is never an easy scenario but such was the commitment and camaraderie of the players that there was hope that the team could return to winning ways. That hope was proved to be justified as the team returned home with a five try bonus point and emphatic win, by 37 points to 9.

It would have been hard to predict the outcome of the match during the early stages. On home ground, Aberdare started well. They held the upper hand in terms of territory and possession and Brecon had to work hard in defence to keep the home side scoreless. Gradually Brecon worked their way into the game aided by a strong scrum and competitive line out and it was the away side that put the first points on the board when, after their first serious attack, they were awarded a penalty which full back Lewys Powell converted.

Within minutes Aberdare were back level as they responded with a penalty of their own. By now, however, Brecon were beginning to look more dangerous and after a sustained period of possession in opposition territory, captain James Hellard stormed over for the opening try.

With both sides, at this stage, looking evenly matched it wasn’t long before Aberdare reduced the arrears with a second successful penalty. As the half time whistle blew just two points separated the teams.

Soon after the start of the second half Aberdare took the lead for the first time with their third successful penalty. However, with Brecon now having a strong breeze at their backs, they started to take control of the game. The scrum became increasingly dominant and with outside half Gareth Price controlling the game well from outside half Brecon began to take territorial control and their game became more accurate. Yet with 15 minutes of the second half gone they still trailed by a single point. Something needed to change, and it did. Some great forward drives created an opportunity and some lovely handling in mid-field put Jamie Price away on the left wing. He left the cover trailing in his wake and crossed for a try in the corner.

Almost immediately Dafydd Edwards extended the lead with a penalty, putting Brecon six points clear. Aberdare did all that they could to strike back. They threatened with two successive opportunities from line outs close to the Brecon line but Brecon’s defence was outstanding. Finally, Brecon won a critical turnover and lifted the siege. Almost immediately they showed a clinical edge. Iwan Davies made a great run and, on halfway fed centre, Kacper Potrawa. He cut a great line and showed great pace to streak away from all the cover and score under the posts. Dafydd Edwards converted and Brecon now had a two-score lead.

With the pressure lifted Brecon now looked at their very best. They dominated the breakdown and regularly carried through the tackle to constantly win front foot possession. They made the most of that quality ball and Dafydd Edwards soon extended the lead when he rounded off a lovely flowing move and added the conversion.

Aberdare now looked a well beaten side, short of both fitness and ideas. It was no surprise then that Brecon completed the final quarter demolition of their opponents with their fifth try scored by man of the match Iwan Dowling Jones. Edwards converted to round off an excellent win which should prove to be a launching point for further success in what remains of the Conference League and season as a whole.

While this was a great team performance certain individuals stood out. Prop, Iwan Dowling Jones, was outstanding. He deservedly won the second successive Man of the Match award for, not just his work in the scrum, but also for his carrying and tackling around the field. His work rate allowed him to frequently get hands on the ball and each time he did he posed problems for the Aberdare defence. He ran at pace and with power and never failed to cross the gain line. Another who impressed with ball in hand during his cameo first half appearance was second row, Darren Witcomb. He also carried with great effect and it was good to see him back on the park after a long lay-off. The back row of Matthew Williams, Ellis Jenkins, Ben Pritchard and Iwan Davies also made a massive contribution to Brecon’s collective effort. Their tackling in defence was outstanding and all carried and linked well. Captain James Hellard, led the side well from mid-field and Gareth Price at outside half controlled and varied the game expertly. Dafydd Edwards at full back also made a big contribution with a try, three conversions and a penalty. While these individuals were prominent this was a great team performance and Coach Gari Davies must have been pleased with the efforts of his players.