BRECON veteran rugby players took on the ’sprightly’ seconds squad last week in memory of team mate Alan ’Coote’ Howe.
After the veterans snatched a win last year, the seconds were keen to get even and take the trophy.
Following Friday’s torrential rain, pitch conditions were slippery, which suited the gigantic vets forward pack. The pack’s combined weight probably exceeded the huge French forward pack that took on Wales in Paris.
In front of an excellent supportive crowd, it was the young and sprightly second team who elected to play with the wind and the slope in the 1st half and looked to pin the vets in their own half. Ball retention was proving difficult, and following a spilt ball in the tackle just outside the vets 22, the second moved the ball wide for the first time and winger Billy Shepperd sprint over in the corner. 5-0 to the seconds. After multiple changes to rest some weary bodies, neither side managed to take control of the match, with good defence by both sides ensuring the majority of the play was around the half way line. Near the end of the half, a dropped pass in midfield was hacked on by 2nd team captain and centre Matthew Watkins, and following some good footballing skills, he beat the cover defence to score under the posts, which he duly converted. A late sorty into the second’s 22 saw the vets go close to scoring, but solid defence once again thwarted their efforts and at half time it was the seconds who held the upper hand - 12-0.
Half time the crowd were entertained by the clubs under 9’s squad, who put on a display of running and handling skills that some of those adults on the field could only dream of. Thanks to those children who took part.
The second half saw the vets with the conditions at their backs and team tactics were to play the corners and use the forward power to their affect. A period of good play, assisted by number of penalties at the breakdown and some backchat to the referee, saw the Vets claim a line-out just inside the seconds 22. Following a good catch and drive, the pack rumbled forwards to the line and from amongst the pile of muddy bodies, it was hooker and match organiser, Alan Taylor, who emerged with the ball to claim the try and get the Vets back into the match. The conversion was narrowly missed but at 12-5 there was still all to play for. As the match progressed, the contrast in styles was evident. The seconds continually tried to run the Vets around but good defence and some wayward passing saw a number of their try scoring opportunities go begging. Power not pace was the order of the day from the bulkier opponents who met stubborn resistance from the seconds who were keen to get their hands on the cup. Eventually the sticky conditions took their toll on the legs and two breakaway tries took the game away from the gallant veterans. Final score was 24-5 to the seconds who received the ’Coote Memorial Cup’ from club chairman Don Howe at the end of the match.
An excellent match which was played in good spirit and was a fitting tribute to one of the clubs true characters. The post match celebrations went long into the evening at the clubhouse and as a result, the magnificent sum of £1200 was raised for Usk House Hospice on the day. The proceeds of the match were all in aid of Usk House Hospice, Brecon.
Brecon RFC would like to thank all those players who participated, to all those who supported the match and all who contributed to a fantastic day.