On the back of a very promising start to 2026, in which Brecon have picked up three home wins and a bonus point from their five matches, there was hope that their battle against relegation would be further enhanced when they faced Newbridge at Parc de Pugh.

The 34 points to 12 defeat was, therefore, a disappointing setback. Newbridge deserved their win over the full 80 minutes but for most of the game the contest was relatively even. Brecon’s game, however, suffered from a number of critical errors which contributed to their downfall. Perhaps the greatest failing was the line out. Throughout the game they lost 50 % of all their own throws. Five of those losses came directly as a result of the ball being overthrown. In a tight game surrendering so much first phase possession was bound to have a major impact on the game, denying opportunities in attack and inviting pressure in defence. This, however, was not Brecon’s only failing. They created opportunities but took just two. Some great runs were halted just short and the support at the final breakdown was not close enough to ensure that a score could be claimed. Then a final flaw surfaced during a disastrous seven minute period in the second half. Brecon’s defence, which has been excellent at other times in the game and in their previous five matches, suddenly deserted them. They fell off tackles and Newbridge were able to rack up a total of seventeen points in that time with two converted tries and a penalty. Though Brecon did their best to fight back they just couldn’t clinically breach the visitors tight defence and they had to accept their first Parc de Pugh defeat of 2026.

Brecon started the game brightly and pressurised Newbridge without claiming a score. The Brecon scrum faired well against their bulky, powerful opponents. The front row of Owen Ford, Arwel Hughes and Iwan Dowling Jones were also prominent in the loose, driving hard and making ground at contact. Dowling Jones, in particular, had an outstanding game. Good positions were set up but the loss of three of their first four line outs allowed Newbridge an easy way out.

When Newbridge gained territory Brecon’s defence held firm. They were stretched, particularly as Newbridge effectively used an accurate, wide kick pass, however the cover and work ethic was excellent throughout this first defensive period. Returning to the offensive they looked dangerous when Alwyn Lee secured possession from a successful line out. Wing Joel Price made good ground before chipping ahead only for the final bounce to favour the defence. Brecon then pressed hard but Newbridge escaped when they secured a penalty under the shadow of their posts.

Back on the offensive they won a penalty. A quick tap caught Brecon on the back foot and after a number of phases Brecon were stretched out wide. With 25 minutes played, Newbridge scored a converted try. Within a further five minutes Newbridge claimed their second try. An overthrown Brecon line out was taken, in space and Newbridge made the most of the opportunity as they cut through the scrambling Brecon defence for their second converted try.

With just nine minutes to go before half time Brecon responded directly from the kick off. Wing Huw Jones chased and claimed the catch and set the platform for a sustained attack. Finally they were awarded a penalty on 5 metres and the opted for a tap and Arwel Hughes drove over for a try but the conversion attempt narrowly failed.

The remining three minutes of the half were full of incident. Newbridge won a penalty off the kick off and they widened their lead to twelve points. Brecon again claimed possession from a clearing kick and Number 8 Iwan Dark made great ground. After a period of continuity, Huw Jones almost made the line off a great run. From the breakdown Alwyn took the ball, drove hard and low, and scored, and with Jake Newman converting, Brecon headed into the half time break just five points adrift.

Brecon sustained, but held out against early Newbridge pressure as the second half commenced. An effective Ioan Edwards Turn Over and a great Huw Jones run, allowed Brecon to escape and, as was the pattern of the game, they imposed themselves in the Newbridge half. Joel Price and Rhys Davies came close before Newbridge killed the ball on their 5 metre line, incurred a penalty, and a Yellow Card. In a great position and with Newbridge a man down, Brecon had a great chance. Off a short line out on 5 metres, Brecon set the maul. They initially gained ground but were held and Newbridge escaped with a scrum. Brecon maintained the pressure and off a successful line out and another great Huw Jones run created an opportunity with Jake Newman being bundled into touch on the try line.

With seventeen minutes of the half played, the game suddenly changed. For most of that first seventeen minutes of the half Brecon had looked likely to cut, or even overhaul, the five point deficit, but the next ten minutes changed all that. For Brecon it was a desperate period. It started at a scrum near the Newbridge 22 metre line. Brecon drove the scrum backwards but as it wheeled towards the put in the number eight broke clear. Off quick ruck ball Newbridge went wide and their centre cut beautifully through the fragmented defence to score a converted try. Within minutes Brecon tried to clear with a chip over but it was Newbridge who gained possession and they ran through the now brittle Brecon defence to score their fourth converted try. Four minutes later they extended their lead with a penalty.

With fifteen minutes to play the result was virtually decided. Brecon fought hard and should have scored particularly off a great Tom Richards line break, but once again quick support was not there and the chance was lost. There were a number of cameos as the game headed towards the final whistle. Young flanker Rakhat Clarkson made a number of penetrating runs but again the promising attacks came to nothing and Brecon had to absorb the words of coach Adam Powell which summed things up perfectly. “We can’t give good teams opportunities and expect to win. We have made things harder for ourselves but we will stay in the fight as long as we can.”