Fixture

This was a classic cup match. With both sides being unbeaten to date in their league matches this first round SWALEC Plate match was obviously going to be a close, tight affair. It proved to be just that with the result in doubt until the final whistle. Yet in spite of the tension this was anything but a dour forward orientated game. Both sides were enterprising and looked to bring width to their game so that the game flowed from end to end and yet for the most part defences held firm.

Brecon, in spite of their outstanding start to the season knew that this would be their biggest challenge to date. CRCC earned their place in Division 2 following a hugely successful season, where they won not only the Division 4 league title but also the SWALEC Bowl. That momentum has been maintained this season with two bonus point wins and a draw to date. That history and their current form suggested that, particularly on home territory, they would be hard to beat. What was uncertain was where the strengths of the opposition lay. That was quickly made obvious as the home team started brightly with lively outside half, Oliver Jenkins, showing an eagerness to run or employ his outside backs at every opportunity. Thus even in the opening exchanges Brecon had to be alert if they were to contain their opponents.

Much to their credit, following the long journey to Cardiff and the unfamiliar settings of a parkland pitch, Brecon started well. In these early exchanges, tight head prop Rhys Jones stood out both for his defence and ball carrying. Having moved into attacking territory and being awarded a penalty, Brecon took the lead. Jake Newman, filling in for the prolific Gari Davies, coolly stepped and struck the first of his 12 point haul.

That lead was quickly negated as Brecon suffered a number of set-backs. Talisman flanker, Wyn Davies cleanly took the kick-off and drove hard into the CRCC defence. He made good ground but was injured in the tackle and forced to leave the field. Brecon’s new found strength in depth was then evident as Wyn’s replacement, Dafydd Thomas entered the fray and made a big impact throughout the remainder of the afternoon. At the time, however, Wyn’s loss was compounded by the fact that at the re-start scrum on half way, Brecon drove the CRCC pack backwards only to be penalised for driving up. Accomplished Oliver Jenkins made light of the 50 metres to goal and levelled the scores.

Brecon’s response was impressive. A lovely move seemed to have put Eifion Jones in under the posts only for them to be brought back for a forward pass. The two successive line out drives from 5 metres failed to culminate in a score and eventually it was left to Jake Newman to restore the lead with a penalty. The failure at this point to make the most of their chances was a concern and as further opportunities went begging so that concern became a worry.

When a rare missed penalty to touch was fielded deep in the CRCC half no alarm bells rang rather there was the disappointment of forfeiting a good attacking position but as full back Paul Davies started the counterattack things looked rather more serious. CRCC maintained possession and continuity in spite of a number of crunching tackles. Each time the tackle was made the ball was offloaded and with the Brecon defence stretched Jenkins delivered a beautiful final off load to put prop Harri Greville over in the corner. 

Brecon again fought back. Hooker Aaron Horne made good ground before putting Eifion Jones in some space. A desperate final tackle halted him just short of the line and then Jake Crockett was put clear only for play again to be brought back for a forward pass. Another opportunity disappeared as handling errors began to creep into the Brecon game and their opponents capitalised.

Some sloppy play in mid field led to a penalty for crossing on half way. Again Jenkins made light of the distance and extended his sides lead to five points as the half time whistle blew.

Coach, Graham Daley’s half time talk, must have emphasised the need to make the most of their chances and to hit back as soon as possible. The words were obviously heeded. The pack became far more combative at the breakdown and Jonathan James impressed with his clearing out work. With quicker possession Brecon looked threatening and managed to maintain pressure in their opponents 22. Their reward came, when after a series of drives, Dan Edwards moved the ball blind and wing Ryan James crossed in the corner. 

Now back level and playing with authority Brecon showed the clinical finishing that was lacking in the first half. From an attacking scrum Number 8 Craig Davies made a great break. Dafydd Thomas was quickly up in support when needed and fed Jonathan James who brushed aside the final tackles to score a try which Newman impressively converted. He then extended Brecon’s lead with his third successful penalty.

Although now looking the better of the two sides the game was far from over particularly considering the quality of some of the home back play. The deficit was reduced when Jenkins kicked his third long range penalty but at this stage Brecon still looked in control of their destiny until, what could have been, a critical turning point. CRCC elected to run out of defence and made good ground when on half way, Brecon’s wing Lucas Jones, caught his opposite number and upended him in the tackle. Although not malicious the referee had no option but to show a red card.

Down to 14 men, with just a seven point advantage and facing a very good side, Brecon had their backs to the wall. First the inevitable happened. CRCC kicked to the corner and attempted to drive through the forwards. When that failed they moved the ball wider and maintained continuity through a number of phases. Eventually Brecon’s defence wilted and Nathan Owen broke through under the posts. Jenkins converted to level the scores and put his side in a potentially winning position with ten minutes to go. 

The response of Brecon’s 14 men was superb. They took the game to their opponents. Davey Herdman and second row Gareth Davies made strong runs and a try almost came but in the end they were happy to settle for a penalty which Newman converted from a wide angle.

Now they just had to hold out. They did it with just one moment of anxiety when right wing Amlyn Griffiths was put in space wide out on half way. He looked to go outside prop Ryan Harris and had he done so was in the clear. The contest looked to be the classic mis-match but Harris showed a great turn of speed and hauled the winger down. As the ball was scrambled into touch Brecon celebrated a great win against opponents who will trouble most sides in the league during the coming season.