Fixture

Builth Wells RFC | Youth Team Under 18 0 - 13 Brecon RFC | Youth Team Under 18

Match Report
04 January 2015 / Team News

Buith Wells Youth 0 Brecon Youth 13

The onset of 2015 saw the Brecon Youth XV return quickly to League action, as they travelled up to  near neighbours Builth Wells looking to see if they could put the downtime of the festive period behind  them, and get back into some immediate form. The early part of the season had seen the team develop impressively under the guidance of coaches Huw Phillips and Martin Keylock, to the extent that their colours had only been downed once in the league. The reward for their impressive string of performances was a position in the upper reaches of the division.

The pre-Xmas period had also seen Builth show improved performances in the league and the Brecon coaching staff, in being fully aware of this, were keen that their charges were prepared for the challenges that lay ahead in the home of the Bulls. The typically wintry weather saw Brecon arriving in the Wye Valley with a heavy damp atmosphere following the previous day's rain. Builth have had a strong pack of forwards in recent times, and the choice of the narrower High School pitch, with its heavy conditions underfoot, indicated that Brecon were going to be involved in a physical game focussed on the efforts of the two packs of forwards.This is not something that would necessarily suit the Brecon game, this being built on a high tempo game amongst the whole team, and the coaches were keen that they not become involved in a game that was static in nature.

The opening exchanges saw the game develop in a relatively unstructured way, and the referee was keen to ensure that this Breconshire 'derby' was controlled and played in a good spirit. The upshot was that for the early period in the game the visitors could not generate the momentum they had hoped for. A number of penalties were awarded, and they also, as a result of careless mistakes, were involved in a number of early scrums. Given the stature of the Builth pack, the scrummage area was becoming an increasingly important aspect of the game and the Brecon eight had to work and concentrate hard to ensure that their hosts did not gain the upper hand in this area. Additionally, the hosts looked to bring their bigger players onto the ball at every opportunity and the first half skirmishes were characterised by a committed Brecon defensive period with their back row prominent in this regard.

Both teams, in showing huge passion in this important fixture, committed silly errors and a period of play later in the first half, saw a player from both sides being yellow carded. Neither offence was malicious in nature, rather they were technical offenses that reflected the tight nature of the game.

The following period suited the visitors better as it enabled them to start putting some tempo and momentum in the game, as the hosts had lost one of their bigger ball carriers. The scrappy nature of the first period was also reflected in the lack of scoring opportunities, these being limited to kicks at goal. Lewis Powell continued his impressive striking of the ball, and slotted an early three pointer to put the visitors ahead.

When the ref blew for half time, the Brecon coaching team were keen to impress on the players, the need for discipline in all areas, and also the requirement to not get involved in an 'arm wrestle' and to put some increased tempo into their game plan. Additionally, whilst defending well in the first half, there was a need to have greater confidence in their own attacking game, and add some flair to the proceedings.

The words were taken on board by the Brecon players, and they immediately started going through numerous phases, moving their bigger opponents around the pitch, and probing away at the home team defence. This was allied to their earlier defensive efforts, and second rower Andrew Hosie, and open side flanker Ioan Edwards, were particularly influential and prominent in these areas. The latter was able to initiate a move that led to a crucial score as he took a quick penalty and ran deep into the hosts half. The ball was recycled on a number of occasions although a defensive hand led to a scrum being awarded to the visitors some 15 metres from the Builth line.

The calmer, yet higher tempo, approach to the game was highlighted by a training ground move as Brecon moved their blind side winger infield, leading to an exposed blind side that was clinically exposed as prolific centre Powell plunged over in the corner after some smart work by the back row, and scrum half Huw Prothero. Powell added the extras with a great kick from the touch line, and Brecon went into the final quarter with an important ten point advantage.

The latter phases of the game were characterised by Brecon continuing to attack their hosts impressively, although there was an ebb and flow to the game, as Builth chased a score of their own. The Brecon pressure was rewarded with a further opportunity for Powell to add three points, and he took the chance impressively to leave the home team having to score two converted tries to overhaul the improving Brecon team.

The final ten minutes of the game saw a huge defensive effort from Brecon, and they also counter attacked with a pace and purpose that had not been apparent in the opening half. Builth did create their own chances, not least of which when they put a man clear, only for an error to be made in grounding the ball. Making the most of their good fortune Brecon quickly returned the ball 80 metres upfield to change the course of the play. This missed opportunity seemed to dent the hosts more, and Brecon then controlled the final moments of the game, as they confidently retained possession deep in the Builth half to close the game out.

The victory, ultimately, was hugely deserved as Brecon built a composed and impressive performance after the earlier errors. If Brecon look to remain competitive in the top part of the league then the spirit shown in achieving this win will be crucial for the team as they move into 2015 and a busy fixture period prior to the Six Nations.

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