WRU PLATE COMPETITION ROUND 2

WHILE their league ambitions are still on track Brecon’s run in the WRU Plate was brought abruptly to an end, by the narrowest of margins, at Waunarlwydd on Saturday. It was the first time Brecon, missing their captain Ewan Williams, have met the Swansea side, who play in Division 1 West Central.

For 10 minutes the sides sparred looking for the first opening and although Brecon perhaps shaded the period the first telling blow came from the home team. From a scrum on half way Waunarlwydd moved the ball left. At first there seemed little on but a wonderful pass from outside half J Moore allowed outside centre R Williams to drift on an outside break and link with impressive full back A Spowart, who clinically drew the last defender before putting left wing S Pridgeon over in the corner. Scrum half L Evans converted magnificently from the touch line.

That kick was a warning to Brecon that they could not afford to allow Evans a shot at goal. But it wasn’t long before Evans was given the opportunity to display his expertise. Hoskins made a great break from a line out. With the full back to beat he lost his footing and went to ground and the ball went loose. A melee formed around the ball and tempers flared. The referee restored order and awarded Waunarlwydd a penalty just inside their half. Evans’kick cleared the bar with something to spare.

Waunarlwydd deserved their lead but Brecon fought back and took control territorially. They created a few half breaks but for the most part the Waunarlwydd defence held firm. Ryan Price caused some panic with a run down the right and was only halted by a despairing arm which caught him around the head as he cut inside. The culprit was sent to the bin for 10 minutes and Brecon chose to kick for touch with the opposition a man down. Hooker Elgan Lewis in particular showed up time and again on charging runs but still the defence held. The pressure led to penalties and Brecon opted to go to touch but three times they failed to set the maul and keep the ball in hand and so were denied. That failure was almost disastrous as they failed to take a clearing kick and Waunarlwydd were suddenly threatening at the other end. Brecon escaped when a pass in defence hit the post and rebounded in play only for the Waunarlwydd player to knock on with the line at his mercy.

From that escape Brecon worked their way back upfield. Again they failed to open the home defence and blew a great opportunity. With Jake Crockett in acres of space and close to the line the final pass was forward. However, play was brought back for a previous penalty and with the last act of the half Brecon went for a scrum on five metres. The scrum was solid and finally, No 8, Dafydd Thomas crossed the line giving Dean Gunter the simplest of conversions.

Turning round just three points down and now with the wind at their backs Brecon looked as if they were edging ahead in a tight contest. Although territorially Brecon held the advantage and one or two moves initially looked promising, Brecon failed to take control as Waunarlwydd showed dogged resistance. As the clock ran down towards the last quarter Brecon opted for a penalty kick at goal rather than go towards the touch line. Gunter’s kick drew the scores level. That scenario soon changed, however, with a monster kick.

On half way Adam Hoskins found himself in space and faced by second row R Cherry. Adam went to run outside but was blocked. At the breakdown Brecon were penalised and Evans opted to go for goal from half way, giving Waunarlwydd the lead again.

Inside the last 10 minutes Brecon had to hit back. From a scrum on the left of the home 22 the ball was moved right to Gunter. Gunter used Crockett as a decoy and instead fed Jones who cut inside his opposite number to canter over between the posts. Gunter’s conversion gave Brecon a four-point lead with just minutes to play and a wind advantage.

But Waunarlwydd gained a penalty from the kick-off and went for a line out in the corner. Brecon, who were desperate to run down the clock, held out against a series of line outs and scrums but were reduced to 14 men after a sin binning. Eventually it was Pridgeon on the wing who made the corner. The kick went wide but that was immaterial.