Fixture

“This was the game of season so far, it had the lot; tries, penalty tries, fights, controversy plus a pair of legends!” This assessment by Rick O’Shea of BBC Wales Scrum V was wholeheartedly endorsed by the large crowd who gathered at Parc de Pugh to witness the top of the league clash between Brecon and St Peters. It truly was an outstanding match which included everything. Both teams were highly committed, tackles were hard and the tackle area was fiercely contested. Amidst all of the tension of a very close contest, tempers occasionally boiled over and yet it was a match where both sides tried to play expansive rugby. The final result was in doubt right up until the final whistle which came in the ninth minute of time added on for stoppages which resulted from players needing attention after some bruising collisions.

Brecon’s great start to the season was always going to be challenged by a St Peters side which briefly overtook Brecon at the head of the table when they demolished Penarth in a match played when Brecon had Cup commitments. Although they slipped from that elevated position the previous week when they lost narrowly to Porth, St Peters were determined to ensure that the bounced straight back and in the process become the first team to break Brecon’s 100% record for the season to date. So the match had a lot at stake for both sides and with the morning rain relenting and BBC Scrum V cameras in attendance, the stage was set for a classic encounter.

The early exchanges clearly showed that this would be a game in which small margins would determine the outcome. As both sides tried to gain a measure of their opponents, the game initially focussed on the forward battle. Although the smaller of the two eights Brecon showed that they would not be pushed around and gained parity at scrum and breakdown and when the ball did move somewhat wider Brecon’s midfield backs seemed to have a distinct edge over their opposition and it was that threat that led to the first score. St Peters identified the need to be very competitive at the breakdown in order to slow down Brecon’s possession. This they did to great effect but in their effort to do so they gave away a penalty some 45 metres out and were punished by Gari Davies who sent the ball sailing between the uprights.

Having gained the lead Brecon lifted their game and gained a degree of control over the game with the majority of play taking place in the visitors half. As Brecon’s pressure began to build so chances were created. Unusually Gari Davies missed two kickable penalties and Brecon also failed to capitalise on three great opportunities to score. After a lovely break by outside half Gari Davies, Eifion Jones almost broke clear and the opportunity was lost as a penalty was given away near the line. A carbon copy break some minutes later got even closer when Eifion Jones had the ball dislodged from his grasp in the act of scoring. St Peters fought back mainly through powerful drives when both prop Ed Dobbs and centre Josh Kelly put their bulk to great use and proved to be very difficult to haul down. However, hauled down they were with flankers Dafydd Thomas and Davey Herdman showing great disregard for their own safety as they launched into crunching tackles.

Having repulsed a period of pressure Brecon returned to the offensive. Their final opportunity of the half came after Rob Price cut a great angle in the centre and broke the first line of defence. His pop up pass however, went astray and only some good clearing up by Richie Elliot prevented a breakaway. With Richie able to keep the ball alive Eifion Jones made a clean break and if his final pass had been held then Brecon surely would have extended their lead.

That missed opportunity proved costly as in the last play of the half St Peters, for the first time in the match, showed what a dangerous side they could be out wide. From their own 22, wing Lincoln Plumber and full back Ed Poyner combined to escape out of defence down the left flank. Their pace finally put them in the clear and Poyner romped in under the posts to make Michael Butler’s conversion a formality.

During the half time break Brecon had time to recover from the set back. They regrouped and for the first time in the match showed what a potent weapon their driving maul off a line out could be. This single action eventually proved to be critical to the outcome of the match as first Brecon built the pressure on their opponents and then had the confidence to go for a line out in the corner when awarded a penalty. The initial drive was halted but Brecon kept possession and drove ever closer to the line. Finally the ball was delivered quickly and moved wider. Rob Price burst through the line to cross the whitewash under the posts. Davies converted to give Brecon a three point lead.

With Brecon now bringing on fresh legs in the front row they took control of the scrum and when St Peters were driven back and penalised there was no hesitation in the Brecon ranks. The ball was put into touch in the corner to set up another drive off a line out. This time the St Peter’s pack hauled the maul down illegally and quick thinking Gari Davies took a quick tap on 5 metres. He was immediately tackled by a player who had not retreated behind the line and the referee, Alun Edmond had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try. Davies converted.

Although ten points up with 20 minutes to go the game was far from over. St Peters changed their patterns of play. Instead of using their bulk to barge through the middle they moved the ball wider to make use of their lively back three. Winger Martyn Hall in particular looked dangerous. One wide attack was only stopped short thanks to a great join cover tackle involving full back Celfyn Davies and wing Lucas Jones but Brecon lost the ball at the ensuing line out and eventually conceded a penalty on 5 metres. St Peters were quick to copy Brecon’s quick tap with the same result as referee Emmanuel again walked under the posts to signal a penalty try which Butler converted.

The game was now on a knife edge with Brecon just 3 points ahead and ten minutes to play. St Josphs almost scored when lively winger Hall sped outside the Brecon defence only to be brought back because he as he escaped the last tackle his foot made contact with the touch line. St Peters had one more chance as they won a line out deep in the Brecon 22. Fortunately for Brecon Davey Herdman showed great awareness to win the ball on the floor and Brecon broke away. When referee Edmunds finally blew his whistle to signal the end of the match there was great celebration amongst the home team and its supporters.