Fixture

Gwernyfed RFC | 1st Team 13 - 32 Brecon RFC | 1st Team
Gwyn Pengelly
1 Try
Celfyn Davies
1 Try
Robert William Price
1 Try
Eifion Jones
1 Try
Jake Crockett
1 Try
Gari Davies
2 Conversion
1 Penalty

Match Report
15 September 2014 / Team News

Gwernyfed 13 - Brecon 32

Brecon visited Gwernyfed on Saturday for an early season local derby. In front of a large crowd the two teams conjoured up a fast and exciting game which was an outstanding advert for rugby at grass roots level.

As expected the Gwernyfed side threw everything into the early exchanges and dominated possession and field position but failed to make full use of either.  The Brecon defence stood firm and kept the host team out.  A defensive kick, which went straight to Gwernyfed's most effective attacker Liam Marmion, gave him the time and space he needed to skip past his opponent and set alarm bells ringing in the Brecon defence. He was hauled down short of the line but Gwernyfed had a foot hold deep in Brecon territory.  Eventually the Gwernyfed pressure told and from a close scrum a back row move lead to the first try from which the conversion was missed. 

Gwernyfed continued to pressure the Brecon defence and they were awarded a penalty which was kicked to open up an 8 - 0 lead. Despite being second best in the early exchanges Brecon managed a number of decent drives which unfortunately lead to nothing but it was evident that they were getting a foot hold in the game and starting to put things together.  For the remainder of the first twenty minutes of the half Gwernyfed remained in ascendency but failed to capitalise on two chances to score further tries after creating space on the Brecon right wing.  To compound things further Gwernyfed lost their fly half to injury, then duly missed two straight forward penalties and despite all the pressure and possession they had enjoyed the score remained 8 - 0.

The second period of the first half was dominated by the visitors and it was now the home team who were under pressure and giving away penalties in dangerous areas.  It was from one of the penalties that Gari Davies slotted the kick to get Brecon on the score board.

Brecon were succeeding in getting enough quick ball which they were confident to move wide to cause the home defence difficulties.  After a series of close drives up the middle of the field the ball was moved left and Jake Crockett crossed in the corner for a well deserved try which saw Brecon bring the scores back level at 8 - 8.

It was not long before Brecon were again pressurising the hosts and after an incisive break in centre field the home defence were found guilty of ball watching and Celfyn Davies was able to cross the line unopposed to score a fine try which was converted well by Gari Davies from wide out to give Brecon a 13 - 8 lead which they took into half time.  In the space of 5 minutes before half time the game had been turned on its head and it was the Brecon side that were well and truly in control.

The second half saw both sides return with the visitors looking the more confident and fresher of the two sides.  The second half started pretty slowly with the majority of play taking place between 22’s with no real chances being created.  It was not long however before the Brecon side put together some of the best attacking rugby probably seen at Trefecca Road in quite a few years.  After gathering a neat chip in centre field some good support play resulted in the first try of the second half to make the score 20 - 8.

Brecon continued to play with style and confidence and after winning a scrum deep in their own territory proceeded to attack down the right hand side of the field, and put together a slick move, some crisp passing, astute running lines and excellent support play resulted in the fourth bonus point try to push the score out to 25 - 8.

With the slope against the hosts and a rampant Brecon side running the home team ragged a third second half try was inevitable and again after some fine handling and support play Brecon scored their fifth  try which was converted by Gari Davies to make the score  32 - 8.

Gwernyfed continued to battle on and with the final play of the game they managed to pass the ball wide and had the final say of the day by scoring a try in the corner to make the final score 32 - 13 to the visitors.

This game will be remembered for the mesmerising tries scored by the Brecon backs at the end of the first half and in the second half but as ever this was only possible by the outstanding effort put in by all the Brecon forwards in defence, the set piece and loose play.  This was a thoroughly well disciplined, commanding performance by a relatively young Brecon pack.  Well done lads.

A special thank you must also go to Sam Hobbs for giving up his time to come and help out on Saturday too.

Players
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