Brecon RFC 1st XV Review of the Year 2007

2007 has hardly been a year to remember for Brecon RFC. The year started with Brecon 1st XV fighting to avoid relegation from Division 3 South East and it ends with Brecon in a similar position. By the end of April the team managed to avoid the big drop after some anxious periods. The new season under a new coaching regime and with greater support in training, promised to be a happier affair. Sadly early season form was dogged by errors and defeats, albeit narrow ones. In the first six matches Brecon accumulated six bonus points; five for losing margins of less than one score and one for their single victory which included four tries. Such results were hardly the stuff to warm the hearts of senior coaches, Hefin Williams and Martin Keylock.

Hefin and Martin, both in their second spells of coaching with the club, saw their early season optimism turn to dismay as narrow defeat followed narrow defeat. There was no doubt that Brecon could have won all six of their first games if they had been able to cut out the number of glaring errors but that was little comfort when points were frittered away, often against teams in the lower half of the league.

For new captain Alan Taylor and his team it was a reality check. To their credit they stuck together and with the help of their coaches they have started to turn things around.

The first glimmer of hope came against fellow strugglers Tonyrefail. A bonus point victory showed what the team were capable of. This was followed by a cup win against Abercwmboi and there was some hope that they could give league leaders, Bedlinog (unbeaten in 52 matches) a run for their money. For most of the game they did but in the end succumbed to the superior strength and confidence of the leagues only unbeaten team.

There was no doubting, however, that Brecon hardly looked like a basement team. A number of young players made their mark. Matthew Francis on the flank of the back row showed great promise and improved with every game. It was, therefore, sad that his 2007 action ended when he was forced to leave the field with a damaged shoulder in the cup defeat at Carmarthen. Jim Douglas his back row partner made the open side spot his own with tireless foraging, while in the backs Matthew Watkins, youth last season, grew in confidence with each game. Also making good impressions were Owen Morgan and Iwan Williams, both youth players of undoubted quality who have stepped up a level with no hesitation.

By the time the team travelled away to Penarth there was a growing confidence in the side. The senior front row of Gareth Owens, Alan Taylor, Dale Williams and Andrew Davies had not been bettered in any match. Huw Morgan had consistently put in solid performances with a variety of 2nd row partners: Steve Covington who was a great asset when not required by Llandovery, young Ceri Price who started the season where he left off last year before he succumbed to injury and Gethin Thomas who was totally reliable whenever he was needed. With Owen Davies in great form at No. 8 the pack were capable of challenging any side.

There was also growing strength in the backs. Once Paul Williams had moved to midfield he struck up a superb partnership with Gethin Davies. Gethin, in spite of the team’s difficult start to the season, had been outstanding in every aspect of play while Paul was the epitome of a hard straight running inside centre. Outside them the back three had been problematical. Ceri Thomas and Eurin Morgan showed good flashes but both ended the year nursing broken fingers. In their absence Alun Davies filled in well and the club is lucky to have such a committed and loyal servant. With James Davenport returning late to the team at full back suddenly the pieces were slotting into place.

The remaining critical areas of half back at last seemed settled. Scrum half Geraint Price, after recovering from an injury, became more and more influential with every game. His half back partner Daniel Edwards was now settled in the role and showed what an important cog he was in the side while accumulating a total of 74 points with his boot.

In appalling conditions Brecon defeated fourth placed Penarth and brought their new found confidence back to Parc de Pugh where they defeated third placed Treorchy.

So they end the year still lower half of the table but with the promise of better things to come. Coaches and team can enjoy their Christmas break knowing that through hard work, commitment and loyalty they are turning things around and can justifiably look to a mid table finish by the end of the season in 2008.