Brecon return to winning ways with bonus-point victory over Tata Steel

After a great start to the season with a hat-trick of league wins, Brecon’s record has slipped with two away league defeats and an away cup loss. It was, therefore, essential that, on returning to home territory at Parc de Pugh to face Tata Steel, positive momentum was restored.

This was the pressure that faced the home team as they ran out into the bright sunshine on a beautiful autumn afternoon. There was belief in the team, but one issue had dogged them through their run of defeats. They had not started well and had allowed their opponents to boss the opening exchanges.

That was put right immediately. They completely controlled the first 15 minutes of the game, playing an attractive, structured pattern of rugby at pace. After just 12 minutes, Brecon held a 12-point lead. For a time, they continued with that pattern and should have been rewarded with a third try if a pass had gone to hand, but with that lost opportunity, the whole pattern of the game changed for the remainder of the half.

The lineout suddenly failed to function, with five consecutive losses on their own throw, and they gave away penalties, a total of five within 15 minutes. With so much possession, Tata exerted pressure and Brecon conceded a converted try. It could have been more if it had not been for some outstanding defence.

When, in the last five minutes of the half, Brecon regained control, they were relieved to enter the break with an eight-point advantage after taking a last-minute penalty.

The start of the second half took on a similar pattern, as Brecon scored first, only for Tata to hit back with their second converted try before Brecon re-established a two-score lead with a fourth bonus-point try.

At that point, the game looked safe, but Tata refused to give up. They reduced the lead with a penalty and then Brecon were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card. The situation was not comfortable for the home supporters, but Brecon managed the sin-bin period well and showed great heart and spirit as they returned to winning ways and added a bonus point in their 27-17 victory.

Prior to the game, the coaching team of Kristian Dacey, Adam Powell and Matthew Trowbridge had asked their charges to take the game to their opponents from the first whistle. The players responded and, within minutes, they took the lead.

They pressurised the kick-off, gained possession and set up a good attacking platform. They forced penalties, kicked for the corner and, off their second opportunity, Lewis Smout drove over for a try in the corner.

Seven minutes of further pressure followed. Number eight Luke Evans carried very effectively, as he did throughout the afternoon, and he was well supported by fellow forwards Cory Westermark, Keiran Parry and Ben Statton.

However, it was the backs who claimed the next score. First, wing Jack Davis made a great break in midfield, only to be halted close to the line. From the breakdown, Brecon went left and Rhodri Jenkins almost reached the line. Brecon then went right and, in midfield, centre Cai Jones cut between two defenders and scored near the posts. Llewelyn Brown converted.

Brecon almost added a third after another great Jack Davis break. Tackled on five metres, he popped up a pass which, unfortunately, was intercepted by a defender and the clear opportunity was lost.

A score at this point would have left Tata with a mountain to climb, but it wasn’t to be and Brecon suddenly lost their impressive, accurate structure.

Through a series of five lost lineouts on their own throw and five consecutive penalties, they put themselves under pressure. Tata tried to make the most of their possession and resultant territory. Much of the game was played in the Brecon 22, but the defence was excellent.

However, with so much possession, Tata grew in confidence and it was only a matter of time before they capitalised. Right wing Dylan Morgan finally found some space and his kick through the defence was well weighted. He scored in the corner, with outside-half Cory Evans converting from wide out.

There was some anxiety before Brecon suddenly started to revert to their early pattern. They finished the half on the attack after a great Rhodri Workman turnover and a clean Alwyn Lee lineout win.

Winning a penalty in midfield, and almost at half-time, they took the pragmatic option and Llewelyn Brown successfully kicked a penalty to give Brecon a 15-7 half-time lead.

Brecon started the second half as they did the first. Keiran Parry made a great run, but the ball was lost. Then wing Alec Barrandell almost laid on a try for Gwilym Workman before he was halted with a great cover tackle.

Brecon continued to press, with Alwyn Lee, Cory Westermark and Ben Statton prominent. Finally, off quick ball, Geraint Workman, at 10, looked to pull a pass back but instead popped up a flat ball to Ben Griffin, who cut a great line and burst through the final defence to score under the posts. Brown converted.

Once again, Brecon held a comfortable lead, but once again, they allowed Tata back into the game. A kick out on the full and then a penalty gave Tata a lineout on five metres. Off the resulting maul, scrum-half Thomas Humphreys broke and scored, and Evans converted.

Brecon hit back straight away. They won the kick-off and imposed pressure. Rhodri Jenkins won a good front ball at a lineout and Brecon went right before switching left, where Alwyn Lee powered over.

Again, Tata hit back with a penalty to reduce the deficit to 10 points with 17 minutes to play. Brecon then suffered a setback as they were penalised and Alex Meeson was shown a yellow card.

Off the Tata lineout on five metres, Brecon won a penalty and from there showed character and fitness to deny their opponents any further score, in spite of being a forward short.

Kristian Dacey expressed his pleasure at picking up a bonus-point win and praised the side for their play while they maintained their structure, pace and accuracy. However, he pointed out: “Playing consistently like that would pose huge problems for any team, but too often we fall away from that structure and give opponents opportunities which they take.”

Now, with time off next week, there is an opportunity to put that right and have a chance to fully support the Athletic in their cup quest as they face last year’s final opponents, Bargoed.

The trip to Bargoed will not be easy, as it comes on the back of a 22-5 defeat at Pontycymmer and with their opponents boasting a 100 per cent season record to date.