Brecon 12 Penallta 88

ON a calm, Autumn day the weather was perfect for rugby and the condition of the Parc de Pugh pitch invited players to run.

The visitors, Penallta, certainly made the most of the conditions as they swept Brecon away with some outstanding rugby. They were helped by a Brecon team who played completely out of character and gifted opportunities to a team that didn’t require a second invitation.

While home supporters were distraught at watching their team being put to the sword they had to concede that Penallta played some outstanding rugby.

The game could not have started any worse for the home side than it did. Brecon’s captain Ewan Williams collected the kick off brilliantly and the ball was secured at a ruck.

Brecon’s kick ahead was unfortunately neither long nor well directed and when the outstanding Penallta full back collected the ball in space on half way he instinctively spotted a gap on the left and after drawing the defence put his left wing in for a try.

Brecon gained territory from the kick off and with attacking ball on the 22 they opted to go for a drop goal. The attempt was charged down and the ball fell kindly for the left wing who showed great pace to scorch away and score his second try within four minutes of the start.

That unfortunately set the tone for the rest of the game. A great 60 metre run by Jake Crockett almost brought a try only for the ball to be lost in the act of scoring. When Brecon returned to the attack they lost the ball and Penallta’s right wing picked up just outside the 22.

He emulated his compatriot on the left and scored in the corner. From there the pattern was established. Brecon made mistakes and Penallta punished them over and over.

Penallta scored four tries from interceptions deep in their own half, two further tries when Brecon spilled attacking ball and five other tries, either from outstanding play or through poor Brecon defence.

Brecon did score two tries in the second half. One from a Penallta breakdown while in attack. Jake Newman picked up the loose ball and sprinted through to score and convert.

The other try was scored when the forwards drove Penallta back over the line with a well organised maul. Hooker Clive Ryder claimed the score amid something of a mini revival in the second half.

That revival was soon crushed, however, as Penallta clearly displayed the gulf in class between the two sides when they scored a rash of tries in the closing moments.

It was a sad day for the Brecon team particularly for captain Ewan Williams who worked tirelessly throughout and desperately tried to rouse his side by showing commitment and resistance right up to the final whistle.

The team will not be relishing their cup fixture at Penallta this week but if the whole team can match their captain’s attitude then perhaps some pride can be restored.