Fixture

Two weeks on from Brecon’s demolition of Nelson at Parc de Pugh in the Cup there was concern that Nelson would not fulfil the scheduled home league fixture on Saturday 12^th November. With Brecon already having had two league games postponed there was considerable concern that as we move into winter there would be a backlog of fixtures which could have an impact on Brecon’s League challenge. In order to avoid a postponement Brecon agreed to reverse the venue for the match and to travel down to Nelson on a Friday evening. Such mid-week fixtures under lights and away from home on a heavy ground are never comfortable experiences and the match at Nelson certainly confirmed that scenario. In the end Brecon creditably won, 22 points to 8, but right up to the closing stages Brecon found it difficult to shake off a tenacious Nelson team which showed great resolve in response to their earlier, heavy, defeat at the hands of their visitors.

The game was a fascinating contest for a number of reasons. Initially Brecon attempted to carry on where they left off in the previous match. This time, however, they found that their opponents had tightened their defence and were prepared to battle for every metre of ground. At the breakdown they were competitive and succeeded in slowing down Brecon’s possession at that phase. Brecon also found it harder to maintain continuity and to create width on the heavy ground. As a result, during the early phases, Brecon looked by far the more creative side without being able to sustain pressure and post a score. During this period Nelson also posted notice of the threat that they could pose. Their Number 8 A Thau twice threatened as he broke form a retreating scrum with only effective scramble defence halting threatening positions. Their driving maul also caused problems and as the game developed it became their most potent attacking weapon. So, while Brecon looked the more accomplished team during the first fifteen minutes, they had nothing to show for it and it was Nelson who posted the first score. Brecon attempted to run the ball out of their half and there was space, but a dropped ball in mid-field led to a penalty and three points to the home side.

All thoughts, if there were any, of an easy victory suddenly vanished and Brecon were forced to face the reality that they were in a tough battle. The response was good and was built on the foundation of an outstanding scrummaging performance. At this phase the front row of Andy Nicholl, Iwan Dowling Jones, Aneurin James and replacements, Lewis Smout and Dewi Edwards absolutely destroyed their opponents. At almost every scrum they drove their opponents back and won numerous penalties. In addition to their work in the tight their contribution around the field was excellent and undoubtedly Andy Nicholl had his best game of the season. It was Andy who made a significant contribution towards Brecon’s first score. At three points down and with twenty five minutes gone, Brecon kicked into the Nelson half. The return kick was lofted high into the night sky above the half way line. Under the descending ball and in the midst of a group of players, was Andy. He kept his eye on the ball, cleanly took a beautiful catch, and drove forward. With quick ball outside half Dion McIntosh delivered a lovely inside pass to centre Ollie Lewis who carved through on a great straight angle. He broke the first line of defence and was brought down on the 22. Quick ball was delivered and Nicholl featured again as he arrived as first receiver from the ruck. He made great ground through the tackle and delivered clean ball off the floor. Scrum half Carl Blacker made the most of the opportunity and sniped through the final remnants of the defence to score under the posts. McIntosh’s conversion was a formality.

Now Brecon looked to build on their lead and almost did it after a great kick pass from McIntosh almost put Owen Morgan away. That chance was halted with a great covering tackle and as the half drew to a close Nelson posted a warning. Two long range penalties were missed and then with the final play Nelson hoisted a kick into the night sky. Brecon failed to make a clean catch and the ball bounced kindly in the Nelson wing’s arms. He made ground and then with a player on the outside he failed to accurately deliver the scoring pass.

At just 7 points to 3 at half time, Brecon needed to think about their tactics and approach to the game. If they were to avoid an upset then they needed to play in the Nelson half and to make the most of their strength in the scrum and line out where Alwyn Lee, Ioan Edwards and Matthew Williams were wining good ball. Clearly that message was delivered through Coaches Dale McIntosh and Gavin Dacey and clearly, as the second half started, that message was taken on board. Brecon now looked for territory and from a great platform McIntosh pegged the home side back as he looked to the corner with his boot. Nelson were put under huge pressure and were lucky to escape twice when the referee decided that Brecon’s dominant scrum had infringed. Finally, after good work between Lewis and Blacker Brecon, a maul was illegally stopped Brecon won a penalty on five metres. Opting for a scrum was the obvious decision. After a few collapses the scrum was finally reformed and Number 8 Logan McIntosh broke to draw the defence and then feed Carl Blacker who went in for his second try. McIntosh converted and Brecon now had some head-room.

For a time it looked as if Brecon would score again as the match was played exclusively in the Nelson half but suddenly Nelson posted a warning that there could be no complacency. For the first time in the match Brecon lost a line out on their throw. Nelson cleared out of their half and Brecon lost their second line out and Nelson kicked deep. The ball skidded rather than bounced and the ball was touched by a Brecon player before ending in touch deep in the 22. Nelson played to their strength by setting up a driving maul which Brecon failed to stop. Fourteen points to eight down Nelson were back within a score and Brecon needed to close out the game with no further mishaps. A number of opportunities were created but not taken and eventually it was the scrum that delivered a penalty which McIntosh kicked successfully. Now two scores ahead supporters began to relax and the team further calmed nerves with a final score when wing Ryan Price was given some space and he showed great pace to run in at the corner.

Now with no game for three weeks Brecon can prepare for the final three league matches before the New Year. Away to Monmouth on Dec 3^rd, Home to Brynmawr on 10^th and Home to Dowlais on 17^th with the ambition of maintaining their 100% record to the close of the year.

The Athletic team in the meanwhile have continued their successful start to the season with their seventh straight win from seven matches. This time they travelled to Caerphilly where they edged the home team out by 17 points to 12 after an incredibly close battle. Tries by Dafydd Edwards, Rhys Peters and a Dafydd Edwards conversion gave Brecon a 12 point lead until Caerphilly scored a try with the final play of the first half. Caerphilly then drew level with a converted try early in the second half and for long periods dominated territory. Brecon were under enormous pressure but their defence was outstanding and finally in the last ten minutes they turned the tables territorially. With the last play of the match Brecon had a scrum on 5 metres. Number 8 Josh Millichap broke and fed scrum half Sam Hellard who ran in the try that won the match.