Fixture

Brecon travelled to Bedlinog for their first competitive away match of the current season. A visit to the Home of the Foxes for any side is never a comfortable experience. Bedlinog are a proud side with a history of success over the past decade, having been crowned Division 2 East Champions in 2012, Division 1 East Champions in 2016, Glamorgan Silver Ball and WRU Plate Winners in 2016 and Mid District Cup winners in 2019. This season they started well in the league with two away wins and a very narrow, 10 points to 11, defeat at the hands of Mountain Ash in the Division 1 Cup. With that record it was clear that that Brecon’s first away trip was going to provide a stiff challenge.

In the first quarter it seemed that Brecon would make light of that challenge. With the breeze at their backs and on a lovely playing surface, Brecon stormed into a 17points to nil lead. Everything seemed to be going according to plan. Brecon dominated possession and territory and while they looked to play expansive rugby they also showed pragmatism and patience against a good home defence. They were rewarded first with a well struck Dion McIntosh penalty. That was followed with two well taken tries. The first came after a number of attacks in which Ben Griffin featured of the left wing. Last ditch tackles prevented scores but when the Bedlinog wing fumbled a kick ahead Ryan Price pounced on the loose ball and it was moved left. After some good hands Griffin gave Jake Crockett the scoring pass. The second try was not long in coming. Following a period of sustained pressure and with runs from Sam Prosser, Will Prosser and Chris Davies almost crossing the line, scrum half Carl Blacker dummied and stepped through the narrowest of gaps to score. Dion McIntosh converted both tries.

At this point a big win looked the likely outcome but that underestimated the resilience and strengths of the Bedlinog side. During the second quarter Brecon continued to dominate but now they were not clinical and although they set themselves up in good attacking positions, they failed to increase their lead. To have done so would have put Bedlinog out of touch and out of any real hope of getting back into a challenging position. Instead Bedlinog were allowed to reduce the deficit before half time. It may have been just two well taken penalties but it gave Bedlinog hope and in hindsight highlighted a threat which was to become increasingly evident as outside half Gethin Coleman made great use of the breeze and his immaculate boot.

At the break Brecon supporters were certainly not over concerned. Brecon were creating openings but not quite finishing. Their scrum was good and apart from the odd overthrow the line out was working well. Number 8 Ioan Edwards and flanker Chris Davies were having good games, showing great handling skills, running and tackling hard. Surely it would just be a matter of time before Brecon would score again and a bonus point would be on the cards. It didn’t take long before there was just a hint that the supporters views were far too optimistic. An early overthrow at a Brecon line out gave Bedlinog possession and they won a penalty which Coleman easily converted.

Now only 8 points behind Bedlinog visibly grew in confidence. Their defence became watertight with centres Crzesica and Hiscock in particular showing great line speed and ability to read the wide play well. Brecon’s attempts to attack wide using full back Owen Morgan or winger Ryan Price in the line came to nothing as the attack floundered against the stern home defence. A change and some go forward was needed but when it didn’t come and Brecon gave away a penalty Coleman showed what a threat he was, with his fourth penalty, this time from half way.

Within minutes Bedlinog came too close for comfort as they reduced the lead to just two points as Coleman hit another 50 metre penalty. Brecon suddenly seemed to become aware of the danger and they hit back. Dion McIntosh kicked his second penalty and then Brecon benefitted from a Kick Off which didn’t travel 10 metres. From a scrum on halfway they attacked. Chris Davies and Will Prosser combined well and Brecon won a penalty. McIntosh opted for the corner, looking for a score that would put Brecon back in control. The line out drive, however, was held up and Bedlinog relieved the pressure with a long clerance. Another overthrow at the ensuing line out caused problems and although the Brecon defence was solid Bedlinog won another penalty, again on half way, and again Coleman was long and accurate with his boot.

With ten minutes to go the game was up for grabs. Now at the decisive end to the game Brecon showed character and determination. They dominated territory knowing that anything within 50 metres was within the range of Coleman’s boot. Brecon worked some good positions. A line out on 5 metres gave hope but again the drive was repulsed but. Brecon finally won a penalty under the posts and with the final play of the match Dion McIntosh made no mistake.

Dale McIntosh’s final words were, “I know we are somewhat disappointed with the performance but it’s a win away from home against a good team. However, we must learn that we cannot underestimate teams particularly on their own patch.” With that all thoughts turned to next Saturday’s challenge. At Parc de Pugh Brecon face league favourites, Penallta. The game doesn’t come at the best of times as far as injuries are concerned but that can’t be changed. What can affect the result is how the team prepares mentally and physically this week. Coaches Dale McIntosh and Gavin Dacey will undoubtedly plan and prepare the team well. On the day, however, it will be up to the squad on the park to deliver, what could be, a season defining result. The game is likely to hinge on little things and support could make a difference. Penallta will bring a large, vociferous crowd and so now is the time for the Brecon faithful to get out and show that they are behind their team and coaches. It must be an attitude of, “This is our club, our team and our fortress.”