Fixture

WRU EAST DIVISION ONE - BRECON RFC 35  YNYSYBWL 20

BRECON DEFEATS EARLY SEASON LEADERS YNYSYBWL WITH A CONVINCING BONUS POINT WIN

On a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon Brecon welcomed the early season league leaders Ynysybwl to Parc De Pugh.  There was no doubt that the home supporters could not be forgiven for expecting the worst with many predicting an extremely difficult afternoon given the early season form and scoring record of the visitors this season.  Despite two disappointing results in their last two games the intent was clear to see from the first whistle, with the home side playing with far greater urgency, greater line speed in defence and exerting pressure on the opposition at every opportunity. 

A scintillating first half display, in which Brecon’s pacey backs and skilful forward handling saw the home side score four unanswered tries.  The first half display coupled with a ‘never say die’ attitude in defence and a solid set piece with both line-out and scrum functioning well throughout the game gave a formidable side too much to do in the second half.

The first score of the game came in the form of an Ynysybwl penalty.  Brecon responded swiftly and their first try came after only six minutes, following good work at the breakdown, the forwards secured a turnover on the opposition line and after a strong carry from the impressive man-of-the-match and Brecon youth star Richie Davies Brecon’s Dean Gunter crossed the line under the posts and converted to give Brecon a 7 – 3 lead. Ynysybwl came back strongly and threatened Brecon’s line, but in a scene frequently repeated throughout the match, Brecon quickly absorbed the pressure and gained territory in their visitor’s half.

Brecon’s second try came from a pin point throw to the tail of the lineout from hooker Johnny Bowen and a clean take by impressive No 8 Craig Davies, after series of powerful forward drives which produced quick ball which was released to the backs a delicate diagonal kick from Joe Evans was collected by speedster Jake Crockett who outpaced the defence to score under the posts.  The conversion was kicked by Dean Gunter to give Brecon a 14 – 3 lead.

Minutes later, Brecon added their third try, with the ever-present blind side flanker Davey Herdman on hand to collect a bouncing restart and with excellent support from Mark Squirrel Brecon made their way deep into the opposition 22.   It looked at first as if taking contact was the wrong option but Squirrel managed to off load the ball in the tackle with the final pass going to none other than loose-head prop Richie Davies, who used his pace to score a spectacular try to give Brecon a 19-3 lead.  Brecon then kicked a penalty to extend the lead to 22- 3 only for Ynysybwl to respond with a penalty of their own to make the score 22- 6 to the home side.

The final Brecon try in the first half, which secured the bonus point, revealed further front-row skill from the kick-off. Tight head guru Clive Ryder went to ground in the tackle and flicked up a gorgeous pass to lock Rhys Dawe, who took the ball at pace and sliced through the defence and showed a startling turn of pace to score a very popular try.   The try was converted and Brecon went into half time with a commanding 29 – 6 lead.

In the second half Brecon faced the wind, and this coupled with Ynysybwl’s strong driving game and greater possession, left Brecon defending for large parts of the second half to prevent a shock come back by the visitors.

Ynysybwl scored two excellent tries in the second half but Brecon stubbornly refused to give in and the half back pairing of Adam Hoskins and Dean Gunter skilfully controlled the game and kept the pressure on the visitors and ensured that the home side were in the right areas of the field to exert pressure and force mistakes which came in the form of two penalties which the home side kicked.

A red card for one of the Ynysybwl forwards in the last few minutes of the game ended any threat to Brecon’s achievement, and the Brecon players left the field to the enthusiastic applause of their home supporters. This was a bonus point win against one of the stronger sides in the division and as such it will give confidence to Brecon when they travel to Brynmawr next week.