While much of the focus of rugby fans turned towards the final round of Six Nations matches, Brecon Athletic’s squad and supporters headed towards Treherbert for the latest Division 5 East Central match.

With just four league games remaining, Brecon top the table ahead of their closest rivals Cardiff Met.

With both sides having won all their matches apart from one, and that being when they faced one another in the respective away fixtures, Brecon were aware that anything other than a bonus-point win at basement club Treherbert would allow their rivals to take a step closer to the league title. When the small group of Brecon supporters crossed the Rhigos Mountain and arrived at Tynewydd Park, they were pleased that, following some poor early spring weather, the pitch was in good condition and bathed in weak spring sunshine.

The Athletic started the match in the best possible manner. From full-back, Jake Crockett attacked down the left flank and chipped ahead. He just failed to re-gather, but Treherbert had to restart with a drop-out on their try line. The kick went directly into touch, giving Brecon a lineout on five metres. Will Prosser won the throw and Brecon set a maul which crept towards the try line. With a couple of metres to go, hooker Josh Pritchard broke and announced his return from injury with the first of his afternoon’s two tries.

Brecon then faced some pressure from Treherbert, who went blind off a scrum, won a penalty and kicked to the corner. A misaligned lineout ended their chance, and Brecon turned the ball over. A penalty deep in Treherbert’s half allowed Davey Herdman to score, with Jake Crockett adding the first of his eight conversions.

Brecon failed to take the kick-off cleanly, a feature which dogged them throughout the match. Treherbert benefited from the failing but failed to register a score. That cost them dearly, as a great barn-storming run by prop Josh Hamilton laid the foundation for the next score as Hugh Prothero finished the move with the first of his two tries. Within minutes, Brecon claimed their fourth try and a bonus point as Josh Pritchard drove over from a driving maul.

Before half-time, Brecon further extended their lead. Second row Will Prosser and prop Iestyn Phillips made good ground before outside-half Gareth Price created space as he looped outside centre Eifion Jones and fed second row Darren Witcomb, who drove through for a try.

Treherbert deservedly scored the first try of the second half - but this signalled a change in pattern.

With a strong bench, Brecon were able to introduce fresh legs. Against bulky but tiring opponents, the new combination of Calum Clifford, Rhys Evans, and Iestyn Phillips took control of the scrum. With Treherbert being starved of ball, Brecon flourished, and nobody more so than wing Kyran Dillon. He showed finishing prowess as he scored a hat-trick to lift Brecon’s score to 52-7.

But Brecon were not finished, as they closed out the match with three further tries to take their tally to 11. Young centre Luke Price scored the first, before both Davey Herdman and Hugh Prothero added their second scores.

Now, for the Athletic, the focus will be on their semi-final cup match against Tondu Athletic on March 28 at Ystradgynlais.