Brecon 21 – Cardiff Met 12

Finally, after a four week break, Brecon 1st XV were back in action at Parc de Pugh, writes Ron Rowsell. The start of 2026 has not been kind in terms of interruptions due to weather and clashes with the Six Nations. The Brecon supporters were, therefore, pleasantly surprised to see the squad run out at Parc De Pugh on a calm day, accompanied by pale winter sun, and on a damp but remarkably good pitch.

After having started the year with their first win of the season and then following that up with a strong performance at the Gnoll, there was some uncertainty about how the layoff would have affected the squad. There were both pros and cons. On the pros side, the break had given players time to shake off minor injuries. On the cons side, training had been hampered by the poor weather and there was a concern that the lack of actual match practice could affect the general level of performance. Another factor was, that while Brecon had been idle, their opponents, Cardiff Met, had manged to fit in two matches, making use of artificial pitches. As the match kicked off, the big question for the home team supporters was, could Brecon quickly find the cohesiveness and resolve that had brought their first, precious win. That win brought belief that, in spite needing at least seventeen points to get them out of the Relegation Zone, there were signs that it may be possible, but, if that was to become more than a minor possibility, then victory over Cardiff Met was essential.

As the game started so hope grew quickly. The tempo of the game was high as both teams were eager to introduce width into their game. Scrums and line outs looked to be fairly evenly contested and competition at the breakdown was intense. Even in these early stages it became clear that, in a fairly evenly balanced contest, the team that could show accuracy and consistency would be the one that would eventually take the spoils. During these early exchanges there were signs of what Brecon could achieve and what they had to avoid or be aware of. Alwyn Lee stole an early Met line out and Brecon set up a promising attack but when Brecon followed that up with a loose kick the Met counter was dangerous. Brecon soon showed that on the counter attack they too could be dangerous and it led to the first score, which was brilliantly constructed and executed. On the occasion of his 150th appearance, captain Jake Newman fielded a long kick on the edge of his 22. He stepped past the first chaser and linked with wing Huw Jones. Huw broke in-field splintering the follow up defensive line. As cover came across, he entered the Met half he linked inside with centre Tom Richards whose pace took him clear of the defence and he scored under the posts. Jake Newman’s conversion was a formality.

With the added confidence coming with the score, Brecon took control of the game. However, the accuracy they showed with their first score wasn’t quite so obvious. Some great tackling and work at the breakdown involving backrow forwards Matthew Williams and Ioan Edwards, gave Brecon a penalty in an eminently kickable position. They opted to go for the corner with the line out having been secure, but,on this occasion they were outjumped and the Met cleared. Another opportunity came after another big Williams hit earned a penalty. The kick was aimed towards the corner but it failed to find its mark and was gathered in play and the Met cleared. However, Brecon kept their composure and the pressure on the Met defence. Finally, things clicked. Impressive young centre Joel Price made a break and Brecon’s Man of the Match, outside half, Rhys Davies, almost broke through. The ball was lost backwards but re-gathered and a break and backhanded pass by scrum half Geraint Workman put Matthew Williams over for a try which Newman converted.

In no time it looked as if Brecon were about to extend their lead as Tom Richards intercepted and ran clear only to be brought back for a tackle which was deemed to be high. From that penalty the Met went for a kick to touch. Another penalty allowed them to kick to within 5 metres of the Brecon line and from there they drove over and scored.

Buoyed by the score, the Met exerted pressure. Some great defence held them out and a wonderful Joel Price break out of defence provided some short lived relief. Then with five minutes of the half remaining the game hit a critical period. Jake Newman was adjudged to have deliberately knocked he ball on. He was penalised and shown a Yellow card. The Met went for goal but missed. Down to fourteen men Brecon were desperate to hold out for the three remaining minutes of the half. The resolve they showed was remarkable and in stark contrast to the way they folded, at times, earlier in the season. Not only did they hold out but they created an opportunity which they took clinically. A great Rhys Davies kick, gather and chip, led to penalty. Off the line out they exerted huge pressure and finally Geraint Workman broke from short range to score. Rhys Davies added the conversion from a difficult angle and the teams headed off for the half time break.

Still one man down, Brecon battled through the next seven minutes with no real alarms. However, a pattern was now evolving. The Met maintained pressure in the Brecon half by maintaining continuity and making good use of any penalty opportunity offered up by the Brecon defence. That defence was outstanding. In mid field Joel Price and Tom Richards cut their opponents down time and again and although the Met had territorial advantage, they were unable to create scoring opportunities. That was until Joel Price was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock on with thirteen minutes remaining. Brecon reshuffled their back line and did well to hold out for the next five minutes when the Met forwards finally broke the Brecon defence to score a converted try.

With three minutes to play there was still some anxiety but, that was lifted both with the return to fifteen players and a charged down kick from which Brecon almost scored. Then off a scrum near the Met line, Brecon drove their opponents backwards and it looked as if they were about to score or at least win a penalty. However, the ball popped out and the bonus point opportunity was lost but more importantly the win was secured.

Further good news reached the field with the announcement that the Athletic gained a bonus point victory at third placed Cefn Coed, winning by 31 points to 6 and the Youth pulled off a home league win over Mountain Ash by 19 points to 7.