Dowlais 0 Brecon 35For the sixth time in their last seven matches Brecon hit the road as they headed towards Dowlais for the continuation of their challenge at the top of Divsion 1 East.
In the corresponding fixture at Parc De Pugh earlier in the season Brecon completed a comfortable win in perfect playing conditions. Those conditions suited Brecon’s style of play.
The playing surface at Dowlais on Saturday contrasted dramatically with those of last September. While there was little wind, it was damp and cold and the pitch, which at the start looked green, quickly deteriorated and resembled a glue pot as the game entered the second half. Those conditions had a marked effect on the game.
While underfoot conditions were at their best during the first half, Brecon swept into a comfortable 28 points to nil lead, claiming a four try bonus point along the way. The quality of the game in the second half fell away as players struggled with the conditions underfoot and a ball which took on the characteristics of a bar of soap. In that half also Dowlais battled hard and played pragmatic rugby as they tightened up their game and kept possession through numerous driving mauls.
This made life far more difficult for the visitors and Brecon’s only tangible return in that half was a superb individual try scored by senior debutant Tudor Roderick. Tudor had entered the fray as a replacement centre at the start of the second half and he produced an outstanding performance in unhelpful conditions.
Apart from the excellent result the other major positive for Brecon was the way in which the team adapted to a number of enforced changes which resulted from the effects of a very heavy programme of matches since the start of the New Year. Lewys Cooke, who filled in at full back, had very good game particularly with ball in hand. He counter attacked brilliantly, looked for work and was very comfortable all round in his unaccustomed position.
Ryan James, after a number of outings on the bench, this time started the game a made a big contribution. It was also good to see Ryan Price back in the senior team together with Kevin Jones who took the field for the first time following the broken ankle he sustained in the Dowlas match at Parc de Pugh back in September. Luke Millichap also stepped up at prop for his second appearance with the senior team and performed well in deteriorating under foot conditions. Another stalwart, Howell Morgan, who has spent a lot of time on the bench, got a full game on this occasion and as always, let nobody down.
The match started brightly with Brecon immediately looking dangerous. Dowlais struggled to cope with Brecon’s overall pace and after a great Lewys Cooke run Brecon constructed a try scoring move. Ryan Price made good ground down the right flank and when the ball came back inside Dean Gunter put Ewan Williams in possession. Williams carried and then off loaded to Ryan James who danced his way through a crowded defence to open the scoring. Dean Gunter kicked the first of his five conversions.
Brecon quickly extended their lead. They effected a turn-over in their half and Richie Davies made ground. The ball was then moved right and Lewys Cooke entered the line. His elusive run saw him cut through to score in the corner. Gunter’s conversion from wide out was superb.
The forwards then took centre stage. Jonathan James made one of his characteristic, bruising runs and off the back of that momentum hooker Elgan Lewis showed great power and pace to race away for a try which Gunter again converted.
As the game moved towards the end of the first half, so Brecon secured their fourth try and a guaranteed bonus point. A strong Brecon scrum laid the foundation and Jonathan James finished as he drove through the remnants of the Dowlais defence. Gunter’s conversion gave Brecon a 28 points to nil advantage at the break.
Brecon supporters hoped for a continuation of the first half try fest while Dowlais supporters surely feared the worst. Dowlais however, much to their credit, re-grouped. They started to play a simple but effective game. They kept the ball tight and used their weight to good effect in driving mauls.
With conditions rapidly deteriorating Brecon found it difficult to maintain the accuracy of the first half. They created opportunities but when a score seemed likely they lost the ball. The game became scrappy with just a number of highlights.
Two of those involved Tudor Roderick. First he made a great run from out of his own half and had his pass, deep in the home 22, been taken it would have resulted in a try.
His second incursion did result in a score. Dean Gunter started the play on his 10 metre line with a neat chip over the top of the Dowlais defence. Roderick gathered the slippery ball and then sped away, showing everyone a clean pair of heels. His try in the corner was immaculately converted by Gunter.
In the time that remained Dowlais continued to battle hard and the game became an arm wrestle in the middle of an increasingly wet and sticky field. Neither side really looked as if they would threaten the scoreboard and Brecon left Dowlais pleased with the bonus point win and with the long awaited prospect of a home game against Risca next Saturday.
Further good news filtered through to the supporters when the message arrived to confirm that Brecon Youth had taken Ystrad Rhondda’s 100% record with a 20 points to 12 win at Ystrad. The second team were also on the road and they completed a comprehensive win over Cambrian Welfare by 83 points to five.
Gwernyfed 15 Treharris 36
Over the last few games Gwernyfed have been chasing a result having fallen behind in the first 40 minutes. On this occasion, faced by a resurgent Treharris side of sizeable proportions, the green, white and blacks took the game to their visitors and led at the break only to concede four second period tries.
In spite of a few absences up front it was the pack that led the way for Gwernyfed when Craig Parry applied the final touch following a rolling maul. The line-out upon which the maul was based owed much to a deft kick by fly half James Cocks playing his first game for Gwernyfed. His effort was supported by wing Andy Hill who forced the defence to concede within five metres. The pack did the rest.
Treharris struggled to field a side last term but are now buoyed by a host of new players who are taking the Taff Valley side towards the top. The visitors established themselves in the Gwernyfed half and eventually broke the defence with a good try down the left wing, well converted from the touchline.
An exchange of penalties left the margin unaltered but the kick off after Treharris has regained the lead saw the visiting number nine knock on 10 metres out in front of the posts. Front rowers Parry, Ian Powell and Cellan Davies were always in control of their larger opponents and led the pack in a march over the line, number eight Sam Stephens, controlling the ball and touching down, allowing Gerwyn Williams a simple conversion.
A five-point lead at half-time looked slim and so it proved. Within 15 minutes of the restart Treharris scored three times without reply to open up a 16-point lead. For the next ten minutes Gwernyfed battered away at the visitors’ line but determined defence prevented a score that might have signalled a revival. Once the siege was relieved it was Treharris who looked more likely to score and so it proved, another seven point effort ending a disappointing afternoon for the green, white and blacks.
Next week’s trip to Pentyrch and the succeeding week’s visit by Penarth look to be ‘must win’ games if Gwernyfed are to haul themselves clear of the relegation zone.
Crickhowell 34 Pontllanfraith 7
Crickhowell emerged the victors from this league fixture scoring six tries to their visitors one. After a slow start it was Aaron Horne who opened the scoring with a try in the corner. Connor Stephens finished the second try after ripping the ball from a tackle, linking up well with his players in support and receiving the final pass to cross the white line. Pontllanfraith rallied however and despite one try-saving tackle from Harry Summers used their forward power to score and convert a try of their own.
After the break, with play in the Pontllanfraith 22 the ball was spun out to Tom Keane who chipped ahead and Harry Summers was on hand to gather the ball and elude the clutches of the defence to score.
Shortly afterwards, Summers again danced through the defence to score his second, Tom Keane converting both tries. Crick were reduced to 13 men after two yellow cards in quick succession and did well to survive the renewed onslaught by the visitors.
When they got back to full strength, Nick Dixon stretched their lead following another well-worked team effort.
With the game drawing to a close Crick’s forwards were pressuring their opponents try-line, when the ball was secured and passed along the line into the capable hands of Harry Summers, who crossed for his hat-trick.
The match was sponsored by the Prawn Sandwich Brigade, and the ball by Gareth Rowe of the Dragon Inn.
In the previous week’s game Crick were not so fortunate when a depleted side travelled down to take on the unbeaten Newport Saracens. Crick played for most of the game with 14 men and according to one spectator “tackled like Trojans” but were unable to prevent the tries which came thick and fast from the powerful and speedy Newport outfit. Crick lost by 54 points to 10 – Tom Keane and Lewis Logan restoring some respectability to the scoreline.
Next Saturday sees a local derby cup-tie when Crick take on Abergavenny Quins in the Ivor Jones Cup. Kick-off is at 2 pm at Parc Broyd.
ALL three Breconshire sides from the Upper Swansea Valley recorded victories on Saturday.
Ystradgynlais had the boot of outside half Liam Harris to thank for ensuring their trip to the seaside paid off.
Harris scored all nine points for the Blues against Porthcawl in the 6-9 victory which moved them to sixth place in the Division 2 West Central table, one place and 17 points behind Builth Wells.
Abercrave maintained their lead at the top of 3 West Central A with a narrow 13-15 victory away at Tonmawr.
There was also a narrow victory for Cwmtwrch in 3 West Central C. The boars, who are fourth from bottom defeated bottom side Falls Bay 21-22.
In 3 East Central C Llandrindod were shut out at home by Hirwaun who ran in five tries at Lant Avenue to record a 0-33 victory and move back to the top of the table.