WRU National League Division 3 South East

Saturday 19th January 2008

Brecon 12 – Tylorstown 24

After a series of good performances Brecon were looking to build on their growing confidence with a win against old adversaries, Tylorstown. The reciprocal match earlier in the season had been a close affair and now with home advantage Brecon targeted this match as an important stepping stone on the road away from the lower end of the league. The performance failed to live up to expectations and a much improved Tylorstown team deservedly took the spoils including a bonus point for scoring four tries.

Brecon’s problems stemmed from a poor start. Within twelve minutes they were twelve points down. There were some mitigating circumstances in that the home side was playing into a strong wind and their opponents possessed a player, No 10 Julian Pike, who dictated territory with a huge boot. Even so this was hardly the main reason for Brecon’s failings. For that the team has to look at itself for its decision making and lack of dynamism.

Tylorstown’s first try came when, Brecon, attacking into the wind, showed a lack of patience and an attempted chip ahead was charged down. Tylorstown regained possession and a big kick downfield found acres of empty space. The Tylorstown wing was the first to reach the ball and ground it but as the referee was unable to determine whether he had crossed the dead ball line and he awarded an attacking scrum five. Brecon’s relief turned to despair as number 8, C. Lloyd crossed with ease for Pike to convert.

The second score quickly followed as again a long kick caused problems. Rob Jones at full back was caught and robbed of possession. The ball was swiftly moved across the width of the field for scrum half M.Davies to just reach the line at full stretch.

Too late Brecon woke up. They started to carry the ball far more directly and effectively. Prop, Andrew Davies, Brecon’s man of the match, led by example with powerful drives and crunching tackles. Players rallied behind him and they gradually they established some control and territory. Their improved performance was rewarded with a great try from a planned move. A long line out throw on the visitors 22 opened a gap in the middle of the line out. Iwan Williams directed the ball off the top into the path of scrum half Geraint Price who cut through the gap. He still had a lot of work to do as first his pace took him away from the forwards and then a lovely side step put him outside the full back for a score in the corner.

The five points earned against the wind was a huge bonus after such a poor start but Brecon, as they have done so many times this season, made a complete hash of the take from the kick off. They gave away territory and although they defended heroically they were eventually penalised in the last minute of the half and from a line out five metres out they failed to hold a well organised line out drive. Pike converted

With the wind at their backs it still seemed possible that Brecon could claw back a 14 point deficit. They gained territorial advantage and pressed hard but once again errors of judgement and execution prevented them from scoring. Two chips ahead went dead and when Gethin Davies combined beautifully with wing Owen Morgan, who had a good game in attack and defence, a blatant dive over a ruck in the shadow of the posts cost them a scoring opportunity.

Eventually pressure told when they were awarded a penalty try for tripping near the line. Dan Edwards converted and it could have been “game on”. With the wind advantage Brecon should have been able to control the game but they failed. Problems were compounded when second row David Evans was sin binned. Tylorstown escaped from their half and once again had no difficulty in driving over from a five metre line out.

Brecon still had time to reduce the arrears but by now any form of composure was lost and with it went the game and vital league points.