Fixture

Parc de Pugh hosted an interesting friendly match between Brecon and Chamionship team Ystalyfera. This was an important warm up match prior to the commencement of the league season with a match at Parc de Pugh against Pontypool United on Saturday 13^th November. The fact that Ystalefera play in the Championship presented a genuine challenge to the progress Brecon have made in recent matches with the added incentive of possibly taking the scalp of a team in a higher tier. The match itself ticked all the boxes. It was a genuinely close contest which provided great entertainment for a large crowd. Ten tries were scored in all and two of those in particular were outstanding with one being a tremendous individual effort and the other involving outstanding handling and team play. Finally for the home team there was genuine elation as they held out against an Ystalyfera offensive to win the game with a slim five point winning margin.

While this was an important game in terms of maintaining the momentum it was also an opportunity to introduce a number of younger players to the senior squad. Three young players who showed promise at Junior and Youth Level made their 1^st XV debuts and certainly did not look out of place. Iwan Havard started in the number six jersey vacated by stalwart Davey Herdman. He was replaced on sixty minutes by Archie Trevethan. Both made an impact on their debuts. The third newcomer was hooker Ben Kenchington who came on as replacement for young Tom Witcomb and certainly did not look out of place.

On a calm, dry, autumn evening the game started at a high tempo with both sides being eager to spread the ball. Brecon started well with Ioan Edwards winning a turn over to put Brecon in an attacking position but when they were penalised at a scrum, which they seemed to dominate, Ystalyfera earned a line out on the Brecon 22 metre line. They immediately posted notice that they possessed a well organised and potent driving maul. From the 22 they marched Brecon back to within 5 metres of the line where Brecon infringed and conceded a penalty. The tap was taken quickly the Ystalyfera pack drove over from short range. The conversion was successful with an impressive strike from wide out.

Brecon responded very quickly. They regained possession at the kick off and worked their way into the visitors 22. From there they went through numerous phases with Richie Davies, and Andy Nicholl making ground with powerful drives. Finally after a penalty awarded on 5 metres, Will Prosser, who produced another outstanding performance, crashed over. Jake Newman converted to draw the sides level.

Within minutes Brecon threatened again as Ben Griffin made a great counter attacking run only for the cover to eventually snuff out the threat. However, a score was not long in coming and it was a classic individual stroke of brilliance. Owen Morgan started the move just outside his 22. He identified a gap and set off, beating the first defender and then feeding Jake Crockett. He created space for himself with a great hand off and then once in space beat defender after defender to run in from 50 metres out. Newman’s conversion was a formality.

Ystalyfera hit back after Brecon’s scrum half Sam Hellard just failed to score as his own chip ahead evaded his grasp. Ystalyfera countered and a great kick ahead was gathered wide out on the left. The cover was good but with some great handling and plenty of support Ystalyfera deservedly reduced the deficit to just 2 points. Again Brecon hit back after gathering the kick off. Andy Nicholl and Jake Crockett made ground and Brecon ended with a scrum on the 22. The move which followed was truly outstanding. A decoy run drew defenders and then Brecon spread the ball wide with wonderful handling. Each pass was delivered at pace and in front of the recipient so that when wing Ryan Price received the ball he was in space on the outside and he ran over to score under the posts. Newman again converted.

With half time approaching Brecon hoped to go into the break with a nine point advantage, but Ystalyfera would have a say in that. Ystalyfera’s centre cut a straight line and although Rowan Starkey pulled off a superb cover tackle, the visitors maintained possession and scored from short range. The conversion brought them back to a deficit of just two points at the whistle.

Brecon needed a good start to the second half and they got what they needed. After a great Ewan Williams run ended with him bursting through though a powerful tackle and setting up a position, centre Ollie Lewis came on a superb straight angle and broke the defence before putting Owen Morgan over for a try. As was the pattern of the game, Ystalyfera hit back. Once again it was their potent driving maul which led to their try. Yet again Brecon responded. Hooker Tom Witcomb put in a lovely kick ahead and Iwan Dowling Jones drew the defence with a great run and then after a number of phases Jake Crockett ran in for a try which he converted.

There was never going to be a comfortable run in to the final whistle. Ystalyfera’s driving maul again laid the platform for their fifth try which was followed with a successful conversion. With time running out Crockett took the opportunity to extent the lead with a successful penalty. Now with minutes left Ystalyfera put everything into finally overhauling Brecon but the home defence stood firm enabling the home side to claim an impressive victory.