Brecon came into their first League match of 2026 with the unenviable record of ten straight league defeats. There was a feeling that perhaps the New Year would bring renewed hope. The hope wasn’t unfounded. In their rare home appearances, Brecon had been competitive and in their previous encounter with Cross Keys at Pandy Park, earlier in the season, they held a six point lead going into the game’s last play only to ultimately lose by a single point. However, the sobering thought was that Cross Keys had won four of their last five matches.

When the game started it would have been hard for anyone to predict anything other than another potential defeat. The kick off went badly as nobody took the responsibility for claiming the ball, which was allowed to bounce and to be gathered by Cross Keys. From there they exerted pressure won their second penalty at the breakdown and kicked to touch on 5 metres. The scenario was all too familiar, as Brecon have conceded numerous tries from similar situations, and with just three minutes gone, they faced the prospect of conceding an early score. This time, however, they held the attempted driving maul, earned a scrum and despite being driven backwards, managed to clear their lines.

That relief was temporary as at the next scrum they were penalised. This was the first of 5 scrum penalties during the first half, a feature which allowed Cross Keys to dominate territory and possession. To Brecon’s credit they showed great resilience as time and again they were threatened by attempted driving mauls from short range and time and again, they resisted. Much credit must be given to the front row, of Henry Hibbs, Sam Pinch and Arwel Hughes, which under severe pressure but never completely crumbled. Arwel Hughes in particular had a good all-round game and his accurate throwing at the line out helping jumpers, Alwyn Lee, Chad Thomas, and Ioan Edwards to win good ball. Off this good ball Brecon became ever more dangerous as the half wore on. In fact, after thirteen minutes of outstanding defence, they were the first to score. Having gained a foothold in the Cross Keys half, scrum half Sean Horobin made a good half break to put Brecon the front foot. The attack faltered but when awarded a penalty on the Keys ten metre line Rhys Davies stepped up and put Brecon ahead. Rhys, at outside half, not only gave Brecon the lead but had and excellent all round game. His kicking out of hand was excellent, his tackling was brave and he both linked well with his backs and was a running threat.

With the lead Brecon’s confidence grew and a number of promising attacks looked as if they could yield another score. However, Cross Keys held out, as much thanks to their scrum dominance and the fact that Brecon gave away too many penalties at the breakdown. One attack should have led to a try, when full back Llewelyn Brown broke, chipped ahead and challenged for the ball deep in the Keys 22 only to just fail to regather. When Cross Keys finally returned to the attack, they, for the first time, opted to kick for goal after being awarded a penalty and they drew level. This decision reflected the success of Brecon’s defence. Time and again the Keys failed to make ground with their driving maul, thanks to the great effort made by the whole Brecon pack. Then, when they did go wide the Brecon backline, and particularly the midfield pairing of Tom Richards and Joel Price, closed their opponents down and at times drove them back in the tackle.

As the match approached half time Brecon faced one last challenge. Cross Keys won a penalty on the Brecon ten metre line. They opted for a scrum, won a penalty, and opted for a second scrum, looking for a further penalty and perhaps a yellow card. With the introduction of Andy Nicholl at this point, their plan was undermined as the Brecon scrum held and the teams left for the half time break at 3 points all.

With a more stable scrum throughout the second half Brecon had greater parity of possession and the backs were able to show their credentials in attack. Wings, Huw Jones and Chad Davies looked dangerous while forwards Ben Pritchard, Alwyn Lee, Ioan Edwards, Levi Davies, Chad Thomas and Matthew Williams all showed up well in support of their backline. However, it was Cross Keys who scored next. A charged down clearance led to penalty which they kicked to take the lead.

Brecon’s response was just what was needed. They took the game to Keys. A simple penalty was missed but a score came. Rhys Davies broke and got close, as did second row Ben Pritchard, before finally Brecon posted the first try of the match. Off a line out deep in the Keys 22 their drive was held but scrum half Geraint Workman saw an opportunity to break. His half break drew the defence and he offloaded to wing Huw Jones folded round off his wing, and onto Geraint’s shoulder. He took the popped pass and broke through for a try which Rhys Davies converted.

The Keys kick off was scuffed but the ball bounced up into their powerful left wing’s hands. He made ground and suddenly Brecon found themselves defending. Iwan Dowling Jones brought fresh legs to the front row in his first outing back after more than twelve months recovering from injury, and for a time Brecon held, only for a rare missed tackle to allow Cross Keys to break, score and regain a three point lead. Now even he faithful began to wonder if Brecon could at last break their duck. The team answered that with a great try with just five minutes left to play. After a period of sustained pressure Rhys Davies received the ball on the Keys 22 in the right quarter of the field. He spotted wing Chad Davies in space, wide out on the left. His kick was pin point accurate and Chad Davies’ response was perfect. He jumped to catch the ball as the defence streamed across towards him. Rather than taking the catch and the subsequent tackle, he offloaded the ball, while still in the air. to supporting full back Jake Newman, who gathered, scored and added the conversion.

Four points ahead and with four minutes to go, the game was not over. Having faced heartbreak at Pandy Park it looked as if history could repeat itself. Brecon halted a Keys attacking move and earned a penalty on their 5 metre line. Into the last play the scrum went down twice and was twice re-set as nerves jungled on the touchline. At the third attempt Brecon’s scrum held and the ball was cleared to touch. Even then there was a wait as the referee checked his watch before finally blowing for full time. The relief and delight amongst the Brecon contingent was clear to everyone and with the Athletic also returning a home win over Glyncoch by 17 points to 5, an evening of celebration followed.