Fixture

Brecon Youth, having started the season with a depleted squad, have made great strides in recent weeks. Now able to field a full team plus a full substitutes’ bench they faced a strong Beddau team with the confidence of having posted two wins in their preceding outings. Much credit for this general turn around must be given to coaches Leigh Savage and Jason Jenkins after having battled on through the difficult times and are now seeing the rewards for their efforts. The latest match consolidated and confirmed the progress made by the team as they fought out a closely contested match and deservedly shared the spoils with their formidable visitors at Parc de Pugh.

Right from the kick off it was clear that the game was going to be tight in terms of scores but in terms of play both teams looked to play at pace and to spread the ball wide whenever possible. That ambition almost cost Brecon dearly in the first minutes as they tried to run out of defence. A handling error gave Beddau a platform and it took a great turn over by one of Brecon’s outstanding players, captain Ellis Jenkins, to relieve the pressure. Ellis Jenkins throughout was outstanding whether in the hooker role or on the flank following a second half re-shuffle. He turned the ball over at the breakdown on a number of occasions, ran hard and effectively with ball in hand and hardly missed a tackle all afternoon. Following the example set by his captain was Teilo Harris who was impressive with ball in hand and made a big contribution to the line out effort.

Having held out Beddau’s initial thrust Brecon enjoyed a period of pressure in the Beddau half and there were signs that the Brecon back line possessed a number of attacking threats. Right wing Isaac Demesi oozed class and pace when he had the ball in his hands and used that pace well by showing his opponent the outside and then shutting him down. Full back, Patrick Deveny Billinge also looked a threat on the counter and outside half Joseph Palmer varied play nicely.

Brecon missed one opportunity to score off a line out drive and they paid the penalty for that miss. Beddau cleared their lines and put in a high kick ahead. Their chase was brilliant and they regathered. With the Brecon defence caught on the back foot Beddau moved the ball into the space outside the Brecon defence and their centre ran in unhindered for the first score of the game.

In response Brecon produced their best period of rugby in the match to date. Second rows Zack Gerrish and Callum Williams made some good runs but it was an outstanding break by flanker Ryan Luker that brought Brecon’s first score. Taking the ball as first receiver on the 22 he burst through the Beddau defence to score a try which Lewi Crockett converted.

Beddau hit back immediately. Brecon failed to gather the kick off and Beddau’s centre put in a beautifully flighted kick to the corner allowing their wing to score and for the conversion to be added as half time was called.

The opening phases of the second half saw Brecon pressing for a score. Beddau held out until Bryn Nicholl took a short throw at the line out drove at the line. He was stopped short but the momentum was with the home team and finally Ellis Jenkins was driven over to level the scores.

As was the pattern of this see saw game Beddau responded. Some good play and continuity stretched Brecon and finally their centre cut a great angle to score at the posts and make the conversion easy. With the match continuing the same pattern it was now Brecon’s turn to apply the pressure. Outside half Joe Palmer set up the attack with a lovely delayed pass. Now camped in to Beddau 22, Brecon resorted to pick and drive tactics even off kickable penalties as they sought to level matters with time running out. Finally, they drove over for a forward’s try and Crockett added the conversion.

Now with the scores level the game entered the final minutes and when Beddau were awarded a penalty on the Brecon 22 it looked as if the Brecon team would just fail to hang on for a draw. However, the attempt sailed wide and the final whistle brought and end to a very close contest with the spoils deservedly shared.