Fixture

Brecon Youth took centre stage at Parc de Pugh, following the late and very disappointing withdrawal of Risca and the cancellation of the match the Division 1 League match against Brecon. With a little weak, spring sunshine and with a wind, which had moderated overnight from the storms of the day before, the game against Bridgend Sports Youth started on a ground in excellent condition. Brecon Youth fielded a team made up mainly of Under 17 players, with a view of developing the squad for next season. The exercise proved to be an outstanding success. In an open game, in which both sides looked to use the ball in hand, the young Youth team emerged as emphatic winners, scoring six tries in their 42 points to 21 victory.

In front of a very good crowd, Brecon started brightly. They showed their intent to keep the ball in hand and to play at a high tempo. An opportunity was created when scrum half Gwilym Workman set off on a run from a quickly taken tap penalty. A score was prevented by some excellent defensive work and a steal at the breakdown. Making the most of the turnover, the visitors showed their intent by handling in their own 22 and they were rewarded for their enterprise. Quick hands provided their left wing with ball in some space. He set off on an amazing 90 metre run, beating and leaving defenders in his wake, finally scoring under the posts to allow a simple conversion.

In their efforts to respond Brecon were hampered by the fact that they created momentum but then lost the ball at the breakdown and were thus not able to build any continuity. However, an opportunity arose when outside half Lewie Crockett placed a magnificent penalty kick into touch on the visitors 5 metre line. The line out was won and centre Joel Price straightened in mid-field and showed great strength to crash over near the posts. Crockett’s conversion was a formality.

Brecon attacked again from the kick off and could have scored with simple handling rather than attempting a rather wild long pass which ended in touch. Bridgend won the line out and a lovely loop by the outside half again created space for their left wing and again he showed his prowess with another length of the field run which ended with a second score under the Brecon posts and with the conversion Brecon found themselves seven points behind once again.

If the first run by the winger was a warning then this second effort clearly showed that Brecon could not allow him any space. Brecon responded by tightening their game and that was aided considerably when Number 8 Teilo Harris entered the fray, off the bench. His powerful running with ball in hand became a feature of Brecon’s play and helped to set up Brecon’s next score. He broke off a scrum in the Bridgend 22 drew defenders and delivered quick ruck ball. Outside half Lewie Crockett looked to pass but spotted a gap opening in front of him and darted through to score and add the conversion.

With the teams tied at 14 all at half time there was all to play for as the second half started. It was Brecon who started the better of the two teams. Early pressure almost brought a try but they were just held up over the line. Now, however, Brecon were far more clinical at the breakdown and were able to build momentum. It wasn’t long before they capitalised when centre Joel Price claimed his second with another powerful run. Crockett again converted and was soon again in the centre of the action when he darted over for his second try after he made the most of front foot possession following a great driving maul in the visitors 22. Again, Crockett converted.

Brecon were now in complete control of a game, which, up to half time, had seen the teams evenly matched. It wasn’t long before they extended their lead. Full back, Huw Jones, created the opportunity with a great counterattacking run and accomplished scrum half Gwilym Workman finished with a try which Cockett again converted.

Crockett completed his 100% goal kicking success rate following the next try. His six conversions and two tries gave him an impressive match tally of 22 points but in the try scoring stakes he was overtaken by Joel Price who claimed his hat trick of tries when he impressively finished a flowing long range play.

To their credit Bridgend Sports had the final say with their third try as their right wing crossed for a converted try. However, the Brecon celebrations were well deserved and helped them extend their current winning run to six matches. Having started the season with a record of six defeats one draw and just two wins their present record is 12 wins, a draw and 9 losses. Credit for the turn around in the season must go to coaches, Leigh Savage, Dale Williams and Dan Edwards, and to captain Teilo Harris and his players, a group that battled through the tough times and are now reaping the rewards of their efforts.