Fixture

Brecon returned to league action after a gap of three weeks with a visit to Monmouth. With Monmouth having only recorded one win and one draw from their six league matches to date Brecon’s priority, as they travelled East, was at least to earn four points for a win and with the hope that they could pick up their first away bonus point of the season. Such a task, judging by results alone, would have seemed to be easily within Brecon’s reach. However, looking at the home team’s results in more depth it was clear that they have been competitive in every match to date with their biggest defeat, 24 points to 35, coming at the hands of Brynmawr.  Taking that into account, it was important that Brecon quickly put any rustiness behind them and took control of the game from the opening whistle. That would have been the plan but that was not how the first 10 minutes played out.

From the kick off Brecon secured possession, won a penalty and put the ball safely into touch just in their own half. All to plan so far. For the next ten minutes, however, Brecon surrendered control to their opponents. An overthrown long line out gave possession to the home side in the Brecon half and they made the most of their opportunity. With the pace and quick feet of scrum half Lewis Ryan causing problems for Brecon’s defence and with Monmouth maintaining possession through numerous phases, Brecon were forced to defend and react to the threat rather than being proactive and controlling the game. With Ryan having posted an early warning with a lovely break around the fringes of a ruck he caused further problems when he ran a quickly taken tap penalty. Although the cover initially stemmed the flow, the breakdown delivered quick ball and with Brecon’s defence stretched wing Oliver Scrivens made the most of the space and scored the opening try which outside half Harry Johnson converted.

It was not the start that Brecon wanted and it could have been worse if Johnson had been accurate with a penalty attempt. The score, however seemed to be the wake-up call that Brecon needed and for the remainder of the half Brecon took control and dominated. They were aided by a dominant scrum and a secure and competitive line out. Individuals also began to make their mark. Hooker Aneurin James, not only made a big contribution to the scrum dominance but appeared regularly with ball in hand and showed a combination of powerful runs and deft hands. One great run and link with wing Ben Griffin almost brought a try. Griffin, himself also had a great half. He threatened every time he had the ball with his pace and willingness to run hard at the opposition. Yet while Brecon’s runners threatened it was through the pack that Brecon looked most likely to score. Number 8 Logan McIntosh, who put in a powerful performance throughout the 80 minutes, was just held up over the home try line before an impressive driving maul was similarly halted over the line. Inevitably a score finally came. Alwyn Lee soared high to win an attacking line out and the driving maul surged over the line for Ioan Edwards to score and Crockett to convert.

The score for Edwards was well deserved in a game in which he was outstanding. He took almost every kick off and regularly beat the first man. He defended superbly and his ability to carry and link with supporting players was a feature of his play.

Now level after twenty minutes, Brecon continued to press for a lead. The home defence, however, was resilient and they made Brecon work hard for the next score. After holding Brecon up over the line for a third time they finally cracked when Logan McIntosh broke off a dominant scrum on the 5 metre line. His power took him through the tackle and he grounded the ball over the line. Crockett again converted.

Monmouth did hit back with a Johnson penalty almost straight from the kick off but the momentum was now with Brecon. A third try came before the half time whistle. Some good back play and a chip ahead by impressive Crockett caused panic in the home defence and flanker Matthew Williams pounced to gather the ball and then, under pressure, coolly offloaded to Sam Hellard who scored in the corner. Crockett converted from the wide angle. A further try almost came before the break when a great pop pass from McIntosh and powerful Alwyn Lee drive almost created a try for Crockett.

The second half started with Brecon continuing to dominate. However, in spite of a number of close calls in which Crockett and replacement hooker Dewi Edwards featured Brecon were made to wait for their bonus point try. Minor errors and Monmouth’s spirited defence contributed to this frustration. Finally, however, McIntosh posted his second score when he again broke from a close-range scrum with an unstoppable run. Once again Crockett added the conversion.

Brecon were now 18 points clear and were looking to comfortably close out the match and add further scores. They did score one further excellent try which featured pace and beautifully timed passes involving Sam Hellard, Dafydd Edwards and finally Ryan Price who scorched away to score. However, before and after that score Monmouth hit back. They were creative with ball in hand and caused Brecon problems. In concert with Ryan, centre Morgan Jeffe proved hard to pin down and when the two broke, Number 8 William Korbe deservedly scored and Johnson converted. Monmouth also had the final word when Brecon attacked after a great Matthew Williams line out steal. Inside the Monmouth half Brecon looked to go wide but the attempted long pass was intercepted by Jeffe and he ran half the length of the field for a try which Johnson again converted. The score still left Monmouth outside the seven point deficit bonus point window and one try short of the fourth bonus point try in spite of a battling display.

Brecon now move on to two pre-Christmas home matches against Brynmawr on 10^th and Dowlais on 17^th. Undoubtedly the whole of the Club will be looking to support the team so that they can continue their 100% record through to the end of the year.