Fixture

Old Breconshire rivals Brynmawr and Brecon met for the first time at Parc de Pugh since the re-organisation of Welsh Counties in 1974. For many years Brynmawr players played alongside their Brecon counterparts in the Breconshire County team with names such as Frank Jacas and Nicky Hunt being fondly remembered. With re-organisation Brynmawr moved into Gwent and now Blaenau Gwent and in rugby terms, as leagues were introduced, so the teams found themselves in very different positions. Brecon having gone through a traumatic period on the rugby field found themselves in Division 8 while Brynmawr consistently held a position in the higher leagues. With Brecon having made progress in recent times, contact with their former county rivals was finally restored this season. The first encounter was scheduled to be played at Brynmawr but because the home pitch was deemed unfit for play the match was moved to Nantyglo. In wet conditions the powerful Brynmawr team ran out winners by 26 points to 18. Since that time Brynmawr have acquitted themselves well in the league and came into the present game in 5^th place and with a run of six wins from their last seven matches. Brecon’s record was not so impressive, lying in 9^th place and win one win in their last five outings.

This fixture, therefore was a real challenge for Brecon particularly with the knowledge that in their final remaining fixtures they face the two leading teams in the league, Penallta and Bedlinog at home during May. However, having dispelled the spectre of relegation with a good win at Risca the previous week, Brecon could at least enter the game unburdened by the worry of making an immediate return to Division 2.

If there has been one problem which has dogged the team throughout the season it has been their inability to maintain focus, particularly in defence for the full 80 minutes. Even in the previous week’s win at Risca they led by 28 points to ten with twenty minutes to go and yet just held on to win by 35 points to 30. In fact throughout the season that final 20 minute period of matches has been the teams’ Achilles Heel. Matches and bonus points have been consistently lost in the last quarter and this frailty has been the major area of concern for the team management. Against a strong side like Brynmawr, Brecon could not afford to be anything but focussed for the full 80 minutes. To the team’s credit that is precisely what they were for the whole of the game and they claimed an outstanding victory with what was undoubtedly their best performance of the season.

Brynmawr were a big physical outfit and from the first scrum exerted tremendous pressure on the home 8. While at times Brecon were forced to give ground at that phase, they battled hard and as the game progressed achieved parity. With Brecon’s line out jumpers, Andrew Hosie, Lyndon Bateman and Danny Howe working well with thrower Richard Galea, who had a great all round game, and with the back row of Davey Herdman, Ewan Williams and Craig Davies again being outstanding in the loose, Brecon backs had plenty of ball to work with. They used the ball well and took their chances when they came. Jake Newman again used his prodigious boot to great effect particularly during the second half with the breeze at his back. Yet it was the collective defence that probably made the ultimate difference. So often in previous matches Brecon’s defence has been erratic. Too often when sides have attacked hard Brecon have fallen off tackles or left gaps which have been exploited by their opponents. On this occasion Brynmawr found Brecon’s defence hard to penetrate and by the end of the game they were making errors which were forced on them by the pressure of that solid defence. In mid-field, in particular, centres Eifion Jones and Cameron Gardner were outstanding. One thunderous Gardner tackle in the first half stopped a dangerous attack and exemplified the whole attitude of the team.

Although Brecon started the game brightly it was Brynmawr who opened the scoring with a well taken penalty by their outside half. The game then settled down with Brecon having the lion’s share of possession and attacking opportunities. Opportunities came but a combination of stubborn visitors defence and small errors prevented Brecon from getting a score. When a score eventually came it was from the boot of Jake Newman after some great counter attacking running by full back Rob Price and a number of powerful runs by Davey Herdman, Ewan Williams, Richard Galea and Lyndon Bateman. Brecon’s pressure told and eventually Newman slotted his second penalty to give Brecon a slender lead.

Brynmawr responded with a kick to the corner from a penalty. Their attempted drive off the lineout was repulsed in a way that would not have been possible earlier in the season when teams gained soft scores off this phase from anywhere in the Brecon 22. Having failed to score from some concerted pressure Brynmawr opted for a kick at goal from their next penalty and drew level at six points all with the half well into the final phases.

Brecon needed to make their superiority count on the scoreboard before half time and they were not to disappoint. Right wing Joey Morgan made a great run only to be brought down within a yard of the line. Brecon remained patient and a number of pick and drives almost brought a reward but when quick ball was released Brecon scrum half Adam Hoskins quickly assessed the situation and spread the ball wide. Eifion Jones and Cameron Gardner drew the defence and put supporting full back Rob Price over for a try.

There was no doubt that the half time talk focussed on maintaining the same momentum and keeping focus on their defensive lines. Although the talk was positive the response at the kick off was poor and the one area that has not improved during the season again caused a problem. Brynmawr won a penalty and went for a scrum which their powerful pack felt confident they could use to gain a score. Brecon resisted both then and at a re-set. However, Brecon were under pressure and only some magnificent defence kept Brynmawr out. When Brecon broke out it was through a great catch and drive initiated by Bateman and once Brecon had broken the stranglehold they asserted themselves with the wind at their backs. A score looked likely and when it came it was out of the top draw. Wing Joey Morgan made the initial break and then some good handling put Youth winger Jamie Price away on a scoring run in his first match with the senior team.  

Again Brecon failed to take the kick off and again this led to pressure. With Brynmawr now desperate to hit back Brecon had to show defence the likes of which has not been evident throughout most of the season. The whole fifteen were magnificent with Danny Howe, on as a replacement making an outstanding contribution. On seventy six minutes Jake Newman eased the pressure with a well taken penalty giving Brecon a thirteen point advantage and finally hammered the nail into the coffin with a magnificent 50 metre penalty with just a minute remaining. The final whistle saw a jubilant home side congratulate one another on undoubtedly their best performance of the season.