Fixture

Brecon Under 16s (24) v Gwernyfed Under 16s (12)

A beautifully autumnal day greeted the arrival of Gwernyfed and their supporters to Parc de Pugh as Brecon Under 16s played host to their close rivals from Talgarth. The fixture between these two teams is one that always been of a high standard with Gwernyfed setting an early standard, and Brecon striving to improve their performances to match the men from Trefecca Road.

Brecon have enjoyed a relatively strong start to their final season in the junior age groups, and this gave them confidence that they would be able to match what always promises to be a significant, and physical, challenge from Gwernyfed. Both teams were sporting strong squads and there  was a real sense of anticipation as the visitors launched the ball into the Brecon  half to set the game in motion.

The Brecon coaches had impressed upon their charges the need for a composed and focussed start, as the Gwenyfed team has always been one that starts with a high tempo and physicality. This the hosts managed to achieve for a spell, although there was a tendency to rush things and some of the options taken were indicative of the visitors being more composed at this time. 

Whilst the Brecon forward pack has improved markedly this season, and provided the bed rock for some impressive performances, the team has always sought to play the game at pace, with their being some genuine gas in their back line. This led to the host taking some rather rash options early in the game, with mistakes arising from the uncontrolled performance. These mistakes, ultimately, were to prove crucial as the play broke down twice in midfield with Brecon in possession, allowing Gwernyfed to run in two quick tries through Kyle Harding, and Tomi Lewis. Andrew Barrell added one conversion to push the visitors into an early 12-0 lead.

With the game seeming to be in Gwernyfed's control, the large crowd would not have anticipated that this would be the final addition to the score board for the men in green. The early scores, from their own errors, would either prove to be a negative influence on the home team, or it could provide an impetus to an improved performance. Thankfully, for the home coaches, Brecon suddenly started playing with a calm assurance and focus that has been hallmark of their improvement over the last few seasons. The pack of forwards, with Jon Davies prominent, starting gaining an ascendancy over the visitors and the team started launching more attacks from this base. It was from one such period of play, where the ball had been moved through numerous set of hands and phases, that elusive full back Dafydd Edwards was able to weave his way over in the corner to score Brecon's first try. Although the try was scored wide out by the touch line, he was able to calmly slot the conversion of his own try, just as the whistle sounded for half time.

Having come back strongly in the last 15 minutes of the first period, to change round at 7-12, Brecon aware of the need to start the second half in a far more positive way than they had previously. They were also challenged to keep the ball for longer periods, and to cut out the errors. The start to the second half proved to be a contrast to the fort, insomuch as the visitors started with an error from the kick off and Brecon were able to work the ball through a couple of phases before setting electric fly half, Gareth Price, on a scorching run that took him under the posts to equal the scores. The simple conversion by Dafydd Edwards, saw Brecon take the lead, and gave them a real focus as the second half evolved.

The contrast to the first half was evident in the control and composure that the hosts brought to their play, and this put the visitors under such pressure that they too starting making unforced errors. From a loose kick, the ball fell to the  flying Gus Maughan and he was able to use his pace to sneak in at the corner, providing more of a cushion from which the home team would be able to dictate the pace and tempo of the game.

This did lead to a period of play where the Brecon team put their counterparts under extreme pressure, with their forwards getting an upper hand in the set pieces, and also bringing a real sense of urgency to their loose play. Allied to this, the three quarters were able to run with a lot more intent and freedom, and they sought to add to the their lead through some adventurous attacking play. Additionally, they also kicked the ball to the corners to keep Gwernyfed pinned deep in their half, and it was from one such kick, and successful line out and catch and drive that the ever improving Harry Preece was able to drive over to score a well deserved 'forwards' try that put the home team two scores ahead.

The final period of the game saw Gwernyfed raise their own game, in terms of possession and tempo, as they sought to fight back and get some parity on the score board. Brecon proved themselves equal to the task of not allowing the visitors any further scores, and the final whistle blew after a sustained period of pressure that saw the visitors pressing strongly, but the home team defending with great pride as a unit. 

The 24-12 result was considered to be a deserved reward for the way the team had fought back into the game, and the coaches were hugely pleased with the growing maturity of the players.