Fixture

Brecon Youth XV continued their league programme last Saturday as they welcomed Aberdare to Park de Pugh on a wintry afternoon. Following the previous week's success, coaches Huw Phillips and Martin Keylock were keen for the team to build the momentum and run of victories, as the New Year unfolded and were pleased to be able to select a strong squad for a match against traditionally awkward opponents.

The rain of the previous few days had briefly relented although both sides were greeted by a very strong wind that prevailed, blowing from west to east down the Usk Valley, and directly down the length of the pitch. In such circumstances, there are often mixed views as to the benefits of playing with the wind first up or seeking to ask opponents to take potential advantage of the elements. Brecon were able to receive the first kick of the match with the wind at their backs, and the coaches will have impressed upon their players the need to take advantage of such and ensure that they played rugby deep in the Aberdare half.

The Brecon team put this advice into immediate effect as they quickly gained a foothold on the visitors 22, with the forward pack, in particular, being very vigorous and energetic as they threw themselves into the fray. All eight forwards shone in this regard and front rowers Jamie Evans, OJ Jones, and Luke Millichap were very prominent in this phase of the game. The example of their colleagues at the coal face spurred the back five of Andrew Hosie, Owain Williams, Will Prosser, Ioan Edwards, and Roshan Gurung into a committed engagement with a lively Aberdare pack, and the home eight quickly established an ascendancy over their rivals. This pressure and the influence of the wind made it very difficult for the visitors to gain any territory and saw Brecon encamp themselves deep in the Aberdare half. Their high tempo game was very apparent as they sought the scores that they could defend against the wind in the second half.

Inspired by the efforts of the grafting pack of forwards, half backs Huw Prothero and James Hellard provided some clear direction, and some deft touches, as they brought their back line into the game and centres Lewys Powell and James Price were lively and powerful in attacking the gain line. The difficult conditions did not prevent the home team from seeking to play an expansive game and the back three of Lauchie Rourke Davies, Naps Koro, and Lee Parkinson were lively in seeking to capitalise on the effort of their team mates.

Davies unfortunately picked up an injury to his arm, and this saw his place on the wing being taken by Alex Bush. This proved to be indicative of how the game evolved as the strong Brecon bench came to exert an effective influence and supporting role to the starting fifteen. The almost continuous home pressure was sure to be rewarded by scores on the board, and this came initially through the reliable boot of Lewys Powell as he punished some Aberdare indiscretions by calmly stroking two penalties over for a six point lead for the hosts.

The first half continued to be a period of Brecon utilising the elements to great effect to enjoy dominance in both territory and possession. They were unable to capitalise in terms of adding further scores as Aberdare defended bravely and denied their hosts what would have been a well-deserved score. This proved to be the story of the remainder of the half as Brecon pressed repeatedly for a try, only to be denied whenever they probed. Coaches Keylock and Phillips may have had some concerns as the referee blew for half time, as Brecon were clearly deserving of further scores and were now turning round to face the wind suspecting that their visitors would mirror the dominance they themselves had previously enjoyed.

Brecon kicked off the second half with a clear desire to gain possession as soon as they could and a view to controlling the ball, thereby denying Aberdare the opportunity to launch the ball downfield into the home territory. This they achieved to some extent, although the home team's defensive efforts were helped by the visitors seeking to move the ball through the hands as opposed to seeking field position. To a certain extent, this played into Brecon's hands as they have proved to be particularly resilient in defence in recent times, and the second and back rows were vigorously prominent in this regard.

Aberdare did occasionally put the ball deep into the Brecon half but full back Lee Parkinson proved to be hugely reliable and he made good yards, with his colleagues, in returning the ball. The visiting attacking options were being thwarted by the abrasive home defence and their options became increasingly frantic. This inevitably leads to forced passages of play, and errors being made and it came as no surprise when prolific centre, Lewys Powell, picked off a speculative pass by the visitors to run in unopposed from 60 metres out. The try was scored under the posts and Powell duly knocked over the simple conversion to give Brecon a comfortable lead in the circumstances, and to increase the pressure on Aberdare.

The scoreboard pressure proved to have a limiting effect, although the visitors still looked to press from deep. This pressure, allied to the heavy conditions and the committed pressing defence of Brecon, started to take its toll on the away team, and they started to fade as the half wore on. It was at this point that Brecon started using the strength of their afore mentioned bench and the addition of Tom Woods, Joe Parker, Sam Maggs, Rob Wainwright, Huw Wainwright, and Iain Mitchell saw the tempo of the game kept very high, increasing the pressure on the visitors. Iain Mitchell, in particular, was to be influential in both the tight and loose phases of the game, and from a powerfully athletic run of his, some great support and passing saw flanker Edwards hauled down short of the line. Not to be denied however, Brecon showed great strength and power in the resulting scrum and a well-rehearsed move initiated by Roshan Gurung and Huw Prothero saw that man, Powell, continue his impressive run of scoring form by diving over in the corner. He was unable to add the extras in the difficult conditions, although this proved inconsequential to a certain extent as it was clear that the hosts were now controlling the game, as the brave efforts of the visiting side started to subside.

Brecon were able to keep hold of the ball for long periods thereafter and also kept Aberdare in their own half, forcing them to have to play a high risk game. The rest of the game was played against this backdrop of home team control, and Prothero and his players were able to ease home and reflect on an impressive performance against what could have proved to be tricky opponents.

The victory adds momentum to Brecon's recent run of form, and the coaches will be hoping that they can keep their strong squad together in the coming weeks to maintain their impressive standard of play and, hopefully, their position at the head of the table. The team will be fully aware of the challenges ahead, not least the visit to close rivals Gwernyfed in their next game, although the strength in depth of the squad, with a number also to return from injury, will aid them in their aspirations.