Fixture

What a difference a few wins make. Having gained confidence from putting together a string of winning performances Brecon are finishing the season in style. For their last home game of the season they faced Pontyclun for their third game within a week. For the third time they emerged as winners and for the third time they recorded four tries and a winning bonus point. Not only did they gain the satisfaction of the win but they also, for the first time this season, hauled themselves out of the bottom half of table and move on to the dizzy heights of fifth place.

Brecon started the game in positive mood. The scrum, which from shaky beginnings has become a potent weapon, caused their opponents problems right from the start. Ryan Harris together with Aaron Horne and Andy Nicoll immediately put the opposition front row trio on the back foot, driving back the first scrum and then stealing possession against the head at the second. That possession in opposition territory yielded a try but it came in a rather bizarre fashion. Brecon looked dangerous with the ball on the front foot and Eifion Jones, continuing in outstanding form in the centre, made a great break. With an opportunity to score Brecon lost possession and Pontyclun broke away only for a loose pass to be clinically intercepted by Jake Newman, who raced in for the game’s first try. Gari Davies converted to give Brecon an early seven point lead.

That lead was quickly extended and once again Eifion Jones had a big part in the build-up. His lovely break was followed by a well-timed pass to number 8 Tom Daley and his pace took him clean through to the line for his seventeenth try of the season. Davies again converted.

Pontyclun responded with a period of pressure. While Brecon’s defence was good, their major weapon continued to be the scrum where twice Pontyclun were driven off the ball at five metre offensive scrums. Finally a great reliving kick from Gari Davies broke the siege and it wasn’t long before they once again showed a cutting edge. Right wing Ryan James initiated the scoring move with a weaving run. When brought down he laid the ball back cleanly and quick possession gave the backs the opportunity. Gari Davies drew the defence with a lovely dummy and then put Jake Newman behind the first line of defence with a cleverly weighted pass. Jake chipped the full back, re-gathered and scampered away to score.

The three try lead was comfortable but Brecon, now playing a great fifteen man game, were not satisfied with the half’s work. Eifion Jones again split the defence. He was well supported by Jake Newman and Tom Daley who put Gari Davies through for a try under the posts. His conversion was a formality.

A fifth try was almost created when some lovely handling created space for wing Jake Crockett. He seemed to have got away on the outside of his opposite number only for a despairing hand to clip his heel and bring him down. In spite of Brecon’s dominance the final significant act of the first half was played out by Pontyclun. When Brecon spilled the ball in attack, Pontyclun broke away. A tremendous cover tackle by full back Gwyn Pengelly prevented a try but resulted in him limping out of the game. At a scrum on five metres Ponyclun this time held firm and scrum half N Theaker broke blind and scored and converted.

The entertainment of the first half was initially maintained in the second. Brecon came close on a few occasions but suddenly were unable to build up any consistent pressure. Not for the first time this season they found themselves on the wrong side of the referee’s interpretation of the laws. A string of penalties against them allowed Pontyclun to come more and more into the game and momentum was lost. The game became scrappy and errors on both sides restricted the fluidity of the match.

With the game moving into the final phases Pontyclun broke the second half deadlock. A break through mid-field opened up the defence and Theaker broke through to score his second try and convert.

Brecon now have a week’s rest-bite before facing local rivals Gwernyfed in their final league match on 10th May.