WRU National League Division 3 South East

Saturday 5th January 2008

Brecon 8 – St Peter’s 10

Brecon started the New Year as they started the new season with a narrow bonus point home defeat. There the similarity ends. At the start of the season Brecon faced opposition of dubious quality, on Saturday they faced St. Peter’s, joint leaders in the league. The fact that Brecon were eight places below their opponents was hardly reflected on the field as Brecon pushed the leaders all the way and with a little extra composure, in the closing exchanges, could have pulled off a stunning victory.

The game started with Brecon under some pressure against a big, powerful side which was full of confidence. Their confidence stemmed from the fact that they have only lost once this season and that was as far back as 22nd September. They also must have looked at Brecon’s lowly position in the league and felt that there was the opportunity of a bonus point win.

Initially Brecon’s defence held firm with Owen Morgan at full back making a great tackle out wide to snuff out a scoring opportunity. The young player started the game well and maintained that standard both in attack and defence to emphasise his youthful potential in what was undoubtedly his best senior performance to date.

The pressure however, eventually told as St. Peter’s burly centre broke through on a switch move, to score and offer a simple conversion.

Brecon’s response was impressive. A half break by scrum half Geraint Price allowed Paul Williams to make inroads into the visitors’ territory. Two penalties to the corner failed to bring a score but when Iwan Williams, another young player who is making a big impression, carried effectively in mid field the movement was stopped illegally and Dan Edwards reduced the arrears with a penalty.

Brecon’s Achilles’ heel then returned to haunt them. They made a complete hash of the catch from the kick off and this resulted in them eventually offering up a penalty in front of the posts.

Again the Brecon responded well. They worked the ball quickly out to wing Matthew Watkins who made a good break and linked back inside. The promising move brought no tangible rewards as Brecon were penalised for holding on to the ball on the floor.

By now Brecon were having the better of the exchanges although their opponents always looked dangerous. Just before half time Brecon showed great enterprise in their own 22. Gethin Davies made the initial surge and then put wing Paul Bowen into space on half way. He chipped the full back but was just beaten to the ball on the try line by the covering wing. The half ended with St. Peter’s glad to kick the ball off the field while they still held their 7 point advantage.

Most of the threat in the early exchanges of the second half came from the home side as the forwards battled hard for supremacy. When Alan Taylor stole scrum ball against the head it was moved wide immediately. A lovely miss pass from Paul Williams to Owen Morgan opened a gap which Matthew Watkins almost capitalised on. A similar move, going left this time, was initiated by a half break by outside half Dan Edwards. When Owen Morgan received the ball he beat the first defender and then switched the ball inside to Gethin Davies. Gethin who has been in outstanding form all season took his chance beautifully to score in the corner. Dan Edward’s attempt to level the scores with the touchline conversion just failed.

At this point it looked as if Brecon would go on to win the game. Sadly pressure told. Poor decisions, including two drop goal attempts when there was still plenty of time to go for territory, combined with a failure to clear out their opponents at rucks cost them vital territory and possession. The final whistle brought disappointment to the home team and relief to the visitors.
In spite of the defeat there is no doubting that this squad of players has made significant strides forward as the season has progressed and are now capable of pushing any side in the league. Their togetherness, in difficult times, must be applauded as must the work of the coaches Hefin Williams and Martin Keylock. The whole squad must now gear up for the next few weeks when Brecon face opposition from the lower end of the table knowing that the results will be critical in their battle for survival in division 3.