Fixture

Gwernyfed RFC | 1st Team 11 - 24 Brecon RFC | 1st Team
Jake Crockett
1 Try
Eifion Jones
1 Try
Gari Davies
1 Conversion
1 Drop Goal
3 Penalty

Match Report
11 May 2014 / Team News

Gwernyfed 11 - Brecon 24

On the 11th September 2010 Brecon faced Gwernyfed for the first time in a Division 3 South East League match. That match started a run of five league defeats against their nearest and fiercest rivals. Two defeats in that season were followed by two defeats in 2011/12. The string of matches was then interrupted 2012/13 when Gwernyfed moved to Division 3 East. This season, however, has seen the resumption of the rivalry as Gwernyfed returned to the fold. In the first encounter, in September of last year Gwernyfed, inflicted their fifth consecutive win when they took the spoils yet again, narrowly winning 21 – 19, at Brecon’s home ground, Parc de Pugh. While there is always hope, on both sides, prior to these encounters on this occasion there was greater optimism in the Brecon camp. This optimism was based on the fact that in the recent Mid District Bowl semi-final, Brecon had inflicted a significant defeat on their rivals. Playing on Gwernyfed’s home patch, however, is never an easy challenge and with Gwernyfed smarting after that defeat the stage was set for a fascinating duel. When the match was rearranged and set to be played in May everyone anticipated a balmy spring day. What the weather delivered was anything but that. A very strong wind punctuated by heavy showers made conditions difficult but on a good surface both teams adapted well. Gwernyfed kicked off into the teeth of the gale. Within a very short time they fell behind when Gari Davies drilled a long range, wind assisted penalty through the uprights. Stung by this early reverse Gwernyfed encamped themselves in Brecon territory. While they never threatened the line they kept possession, with outside half, Chris O’Brien effectively orchestrating the effort. For Brecon stern defence was needed to keep their opponents out of their 22. In the heart of that defence was Davey Herdman whose tackling brought winces or shouts of adulation from the crowd depending on which set of supporters responded. Eifion Jones also, when called upon, showed that whatever his compatriot could do he could do as well. One Gwernyfed attack led by fleet footed Liam Marmion was snuffed out when his opposite number, Jones, took him off his feet in the tackle and drove him back before returning him gently to earth. As soon as Brecon moved out of defence they took their chance to increase their lead when Gari Davies hit a much simpler penalty. This heralded a period of Brecon dominance. Prop Steve Jackson, in particular, was very impressive carrying the ball powerfully and brilliantly offloading. Yet with the strong wind at their backs it was imperative that Brecon made this dominance count on the score board. This they did with a brilliantly worked move. From a line out between the ten metre line and the twenty two the ball was moved swiftly to Gari Davies. He delivered a wonderfully timed pass to Eifion Jones who, at pace and on a straight angle, cut clean through the Gwernyfed defence. With just full back Gerwyn Williams to beat and with wing Jake Crocket in support on his right, he made no mistake. He drew and gave in classic fashion and Jake scored between the posts. Gari Davies easily added the conversion. Almost immediately Brecon increased their lead with another Davies penalty. With the score mounting against them Gwernyfed needed a response. The wind was obviously playing its part in aiding Brecon’s cause and with the knowledge that they would play with the elements in the second half Gwernyfed set about stemming the flow against them in the belief that perhaps sixteen points could be overhauled. When they gained a penalty in Brecon’s half O’Brien astutely slotted the ball into touch within 5 metres of the Brecon line. Everyone knew what was to come. Gwernyfed’s driving line out has justifiably built up a great reputation as an effective and productive weapon. Twice, late on in the recent Cup match, Gwernyfed breached the Brecon line using the same ploy. Brecon supporters held their breath as first the line out was secured and the maul set. This time, however, Brecon were well prepared and the Brecon eight worked collectively to first turn and then drive the maul into touch. From the ensuing line out Gari Davies cleared brilliantly and the threat which could have turned the game on its head was nullified. For the remainder of the half Brecon attacked. Tom Daley almost put Eifion Jones through a gap and some good work again from Steve Jackson, in concert with his front row colleague, Aaron Horne, created an opportunity which Gari Davies took with a neat drop goal. The half time talks must have been interesting. There were a number of questions. Was the nineteen point lead enough considering the wind which now would favour the home side? Could Gwernyfed score early to sow seeds of doubt in the minds of the Brecon team? The two teams and their coaches plotted the answers to these questions in animated team talks in the middle of the field. Gwernyfed started well and when Brecon made a hash of clearing a long kick and gave away a penalty, Gerwyn Williams added Gwernyfed’s first points from a penalty. At that rate the sixteen point lead would be quickly eroded and Brecon knew that they could not allow Gwernyfed to dictate the game while they hung on in defence. From the kick off Brecon kept Gwernyfed pinned down in their own half and when they attempted to move the ball and break out they lost possession of the ball on the right flank and Jake Crockett and Eifion Jones hacked ahead. The ball crossed the try line with Eifion in pursuit and although he reached the ball before it went dead he just failed to ground it. Although the opportunity was lost the momentum was swinging in Brecon’s favour. A period of pressure near the Gwernyfed line was repulsed by some stern defence but the relief the home team gained when awarded a penalty was only short lived. Gwyn Pengelly collected a long kick and started a counter from his 22. He was brought down just outside the 22 but laid the ball back perfectly. Tom Daley picked up at burst through the fringe defence. In the open his pace carried him to the opposition 22 where, although he was brought down by a great cover tackle from Gerwyn Williams, he managed to pop up a pass to supporting Eifion Jones. Absolutely in the clear Eifion cantered in for a try which extended the lead to 21 points. Time was now beginning to run out for the Gwernyfed team and a massive effort was required to cut back the now large deficit. They responded. A penalty to the corner gave them position. The line out drive was held but from the following scrum, Rob Jones darted around the narrowest of blind sides and squeezed in at the corner for a try. The conversion failed but Gerwyn Williams soon had another opportunity with a penalty which he converted, reducing the lead to 13 points. Earlier in the season that lead would not have been sufficient but now Brecon are a different team. They controlled the closing minutes of the match with the likes of Andy Nicholl, Danny Howe and Wyn Davies making the hard yards and keeping Gwernyfed at bay in their own half of the field. The time ran down and a delighted Brecon contingent savoured their second victory in the matter of three weeks against their respected neighbours and rivals. Now all that remains to complete a remarkable turn-around of fortunes is the defence of the Mid District Bowl against Wattstown at Abercwmboi on Tuesday 20th May, Kick Off 7:15pm.
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