WRU National League Division 3 South East

Saturday 1st March 2008

Tonyrefail 8 – Brecon 13

Travelling to Tonyrefail with a somewhat depleted team was hardly what Brecon wanted. In spite of two important wins in the last two league matches, Brecon have yet to pull clear of relegation worries and the last thing they could afford to do was to surrender points to a team placed beneath them. Yet with half the side 21 or under they faced a very difficult challenge on a sloping pitch and with a gale blowing straight up the slope. The fact that they emerged victorious was down to sheer hard work and a number of notable performances from some of the younger members of the team.

Ewan Williams, at number 8, had an immense game. He carried brilliantly, both at close quarters and in the open. In addition he made use of a cultured boot as he stood out as the best kicker out of hand on the field. Generally there is a groan from the crowd when one of the forwards put boot to ball but in this case the boot was so effective that it drew regular applause.

Owen Morgan, who was forced into the role of full back after an early injury to Dan Edwards, showed great maturity and no little skill, particularly in the second half when he was forced to field kicks, driven on by a fierce wind, giving him little option but to run the ball back. He both fielded the ball and ran brilliantly.

In addition to this pair, Matthew Watkins on the wing had a very good game. He looked dangerous throughout, almost creating one try and making a telling contribution in the lead up to Gethin Davies’ winning score. This was an outstanding score which started in the Brecon half. Running into the gale the handling and continuity was outstanding. The ball was initially moved right then as the move started to grind to a halt near the touchline; props Gareth Owens and Dale Williams drove on to win quick ball. Rob Jones distributed beautifully bringing Matthew onto the ball in midfield; the half gap was created and Gethin Davies finished from the 22 metre line. This was a crucial score into the wind as it gave Brecon a ten point lead and the hope that they could earn a win.

There were a number of other critical points in a game that Brecon did not start well. They made a hash of the kick off as usual and gifted Tonyrefail an attacking position. Playing into the gale they kept the ball in hand and applied huge pressure. Brecon’s line was threatened but not breached and when Gareth Owens stole possession in a maul Rob Jones gleefully kicked downfield. If Tonyrefail had scored at that point then Brecon may well have had too big a mountain to climb.

The start, however, inspired the home side and in spite of the wind, Brecon were never comfortable against the aggressive driving play of their opponents. After an early Daniel Edwards penalty Brecon took a long time to take control. As the half wore on and Brecon failed to take advantage of the elements so anxiety felt by the team began to manifest itself in mistakes. Flanker Alan Jones, having one of best performances for the senior team, turned it round when not for the first time he turned over possession by winning the ball on the ground. Ewan’s Williams’ huge relieving kick from a resulting penalty put Brecon within 5 metres of the home line. The front ball to Ceri Price, who made a welcome and timely return to the 1st XV, was driven over and captain, Alan Taylor claimed the score to give Brecon an eight point half time lead.

Alan deserved the score as he showed great leadership particularly in the second half. Whenever he got possession he made the right decisions; keeping the ball in hand or popping off short passes to supporting players and always making ground.

If Gethin Davies’ try was critical so was some of the defensive play after Tonyrefail had reduced the lead first with a penalty and then, amazingly, with a push over try from a five metre scrum. Up to that point Brecon had the edge in almost every other scrum and it was a shock to see them shunted backwards.

This could have been the spur to drive the home side to victory and when they earned a line out five metres out it took a magnificent line out steal from second row Gethin Thomas to stem the danger.

From that point on Brecon believed they could do it and in spite of facing the elements they took control of the game in the closing stages. Geraint Price at scrum half, with little opportunity to show his offensive qualities, showed a great appetite for tackling anything that moved around the fringes while Matthew Francis drew much of his opponents aggression for being a constant nuisance. Alan Davies in mid field was also solid in everything he did and made a great contribution to a great team effort as did subs Ceri Thomas, Zack Lowther, Gareth Bowen and Howell Morgan.

The reward for such great spirit and endeavour was four more valuable points and another rung up the ladder leading out of the relegation zone.