Blackwood 17 Brecon 31

With the first half of the league season over, Brecon travelled to Blackwood knowing that this was a must win fixture for both teams as they continue to battle to survive in Division One.

A dry calm day would have suited the men in red and despite the rain having relented, a strong swirling wind had dried the top surface of the ground. Brecon started the game with the win at their backs however its gusting and unpredictable nature caused problems for both sides throughout the match.

Critically, Brecon started well up front where the front row of Ryan Harris, Elgan Lewis and Louis Jones out-scrummaged their opponents, putting them constantly under pressure at this phase of play. They also showed that they have learned from their previous failings in defending driving mauls.

When Blackwood attempted to drive out their half at the first line out of the game, Brecon, through Louis Jones disrupted the drive and even forced it into retreat. With ball going backwards the scrum half had his kick charged down, Brecon re-gathered and a lovely sweeping move followed.

Swift hands moved the ball right and completely outflanked the home defence. Full back Jake Newman was put away on the wide right and he sped in for his eighth try of the season.

With wind advantage, Brecon then dominated the game territorially but for a long time failed to convert their pressure into scores. Some of that failure could be attributed to dropped passes at crucial times but also to their inability to secure line out ball when they had worked their way into an attacking position.

To be fair conditions were not easy with a swirling wind but even so supporters began to wonder if their failure to score would in the end prove costly.

Nerves were calmed as the half wore on when Brecon stole a scrum against the head. Scrum half Blake Parata moved the ball swiftly left, Eifiion Jones and Rob Price ran straight, thus holding their opposite numbers and Newman broke the line and gave wing Joey Morgan space on the outside. He rode the tackle in the corner and crashed over for the try.

Brecon claimed the ball from the kick off and Jake Newman put in a high kick. Two Blackwood defenders were covering the kick but as it swirled in the wind, they failed to get under it and fatally allowed it to bounce.

Eifion Jones, who had chased hard, was first onto the ball and took it at pace, splitting the last defence to allow himself a clear run in under the posts. Gari Davies converted and Brecon went into the half time break with a 17 point advantage.

The second half didn’t start as promisingly as Brecon had hoped as they gave their opponents chances, however they survived these scares and a beautifully judged kick by outside half Gari Davies put Brecon into the home 22.

Over-vigorous rucking by the home pack gave away a penalty which Davies took quickly only for him to be impeded.

Captain, Dafydd Thomas, sensibly opted for a scrum and the front five duly delivered. They drove their opponents back to the line with Dafydd Thomas in complete control of the ball at the back. As they approached the line a Blackwood defender dived in to smother the ball and the referee duly awarded a penalty try which Davies converted.

Despite a 24 point margin, Blackwood hit back almost immediately when they were gifted a try. Brecon secured a good scrum and instead of the anticipated kick upfield, a chip over the defensive line was not high enough and was pick up by the tall Blackwood centre who raced to score.

Blackwood’s body language changed and Brecon needed to quell the rising tide. Davey Herdman carried hard, Andrew Hosie won line out ball and popped up everywhere across the field and Danny Howe tested the home defence with ball in hand.

The packed worked well and from a driving line out on the 22, Danny Howe claimed the try as the pack surged over the line. Davies converted and opened up a 21 point lead.

The visitors came close to a sixth try but in the end it was the battling Blackwood side who had the last word.

Brecon’s defence lapsed and the Blackwood left wing broke through after gathering a poor kick ahead and faced by a less than well organised chase.

the try and conversion brought the home team back within 14 points but Brecon ran out the clear winners and earned a bonus point. The win elevated them to seventh in the table but they know there is still a lot of work to be done.

However, with just a cup match before Christmas remaining they can at least take some time to reflect on how they have shown that they are adjusting to the demands on Division one rugby after a difficult start to the season.

That feeling of well-being will also be shared by the second XV who extended their unbeaten league run with a 76 points to 15 win against Llantwit Fadre and the Youth who joined in the celebrations with a 52 points to 3 win against Llandaff North.