Fixture

Prior to the visit of Penallta to Parc de Pugh the message to Brecon followers was to turn up to support their Club, their Team and to build a Fortress at Parc de Pugh. The faithful responded to the call and turned up in numbers. Their support undoubtedly gave their team a lift as they faced a much-fancied Penallta team. With both teams unbeaten in the league to date this was clearly one of the key matches of the season. Penallta arrived at Parc de Pugh with an enviable league record. Their last defeat in the League actually took place at Parc de Pugh on the 4^th January 2020 when Brecon overturned the visitors by 18 points to 8. The question in the minds of the Brecon faithful was, “Could Brecon repeat that performance?” By 4pm, on a beautiful autumn afternoon and with Parc de Pugh looking at its immaculate best thanks to the efforts of groundsman Norman Williams, the Brecon team emphatically and positively answered that question as they posted an outstanding 21 points to 8 victory.

In his post-match response to the players, head coach Dale McIntosh said, “I want to thank you all for a great team performance this afternoon and for the way you have all worked with me and our coaching team of Gavin Dacey, Owen Sheppeard and Darren Harris.” His comments certainly would have been endorsed by all those who turned up in support of the home side and in a wider sense, by the whole of the community. This was a great performance and one on which the team can, and must continue to build on and develop if ambitions are to be fulfilled.

Undoubtedly this was the best collective team performance of the season to date. The pack stood up well against their powerful opponents. Hooker Aneurin James and prop Richy Davies were outstanding in what was an excellent all-round defensive effort. Lewis Smout and Andy Nicholl anchored a scrum and carried effectively while Dewi Edwards impressed off the bench. Second rows Sam Prosser and Darren Witcomb were also major forces in the defensive effort and worked hard at the breakdown to secure good possession and to slow down or turn over opposition ball. The back row of Chris Davies, Matthew Williams and Will Prosser, in the unaccustomed role of Number 8, were excellent with their individual skills complimenting each other to make an effective unit. Matthew Williams was outstanding in the line out and was everywhere across the field and always in the faces of his opponents. Chris Davies and Will Prosser showed great handling and support skills and hit their opponents hard to help the side to win the gainline battle. Josh Millichap, coming on as a replacement, showed his usual appetite for work and made an important contribution.

The backs produced their most consistent performance of the season to date. They looked dangerous with ball in hand from any part of the field. They also varied their attacking patterns and they scored three outstanding tries and could have had more. Captain, Jake Crockett led by example from full back. He was a constant thorn in the side of his opponents with some great counter attacking runs and his effective incursions into the line. Morgan Price, who replaced Crockett, when he was required to move into midfield, showed that he too is an accomplished, well-rounded player. Sam Hellard had a relatively quiet afternoon for him as most of the play migrated towards the left where Owen Morgan not only showed his abilities in the wide channel but also came infield looking for work. Centres Ollie Lewis and Josh Martin were outstanding in defence and both carried powerfully and showed great handling skills. Outside half, Dion McIntosh, although hampered by a knee injury, kept his backline functioning well with a range of accurate long or short passes. Scrum half Carl Blacker and his replacement Geraint Workman, both kicked beautifully when needed and got the back line onto the front foot with quick accurate passes.

The game started with Penallta exerting early pressure on the Brecon defence. A well placed wide kick to the left caused Brecon problems and only great cover defence prevented a score. As the Penallta attacks faltered on the rock like home defence so Brecon began to exert themselves as an attacking force. A powerful Josh Martin run in midfield created an opportunity but Brecon failed to capitalise as twice the pop pass out of the tackle went astray. The missed opportunities could have proved costly when the Penallta scrum half broke and it needed a great Matthew Williams cover tackle to snuff out the danger. Brecon recovered with the help of a penalty at the scrum and from a position deep in their half they created an outstanding try. Great hands across the back line gave Crockett some space. He drew the defence and put Owen Morgan away on half way. As the cover came across Morgan put in a beautifully weighted kick and Crockett raced onto the ball, picked up and scored unchallenged. He easily converted from in front of the posts. Penallta responded and threatened from a 5 metre line out. Their maul was held and they went wide where they hit a brick wall and Lewis Smout effected a great turn over. The half ended with Brecon back on the attack and threatening, only for the ball to be dropped as a gap opened.

The opening phases of the second half were evenly contested until Penallta reduced the arrears with a penalty. Now with just a four-point cushion Brecon needed to quell the rise in their opponents confidence. They did it with a second great score. After Crockett had just failed to capitalise on his neat kick ahead Brecon threatened down the left as Ollie Lewis made a powerful break and Owen Morgan carried into the 22. Will Prosser broke through the middle of a breakdown and Andy Nicholl carried effectively in spite of opponents’ attentions. From the maul in midfield the ball was moved right and then a great switch put left wing Owen Morgan through a gap on the right. He scored near the posts and Crockett converted.

Almost immediately Brecon put the game beyond their opponents. Carl Blacker made a break and then the ball was moved into mid-field. Dion Mcintosh switched the direction of play with a lovely short inside pass to Owen Morgan who burst through the gap for his second try. Crockett again converted.

Brecon were now looking for a bonus point but the efforts of the afternoon were having an impact. Sam Prosser and Josh Martin departed with injuries and Jake Crockett received a yellow card for a high tackle. Brecon still attacked and found a promising position after a Geraint Workman break but with time running out Penallta hit back. Their Number 8 picked up a loose ball which popped out of a ruck in his 22. He made an excellent break and delivered a lovely pass to a supporting player. For the first time in the match a tackle was missed and Penallta’s wing ran away to score a deserved consolation try.

From the euphoria of the win Dale McIntosh added a touch of reality when he said, “Pre-season we stepped on the bus and started our journey. We have passed an important stop on the way but we are still only in the early stages of our ride on the bus and we need to mentally and physically prepare to stay on the bus, complete our journey and arrive at our destination.”