Brecon Youth 54 Tylorstown Youth 0.

FOLLOWING a setback the previous week, Brecon Youth returned to the home comforts of Parc de Pugh, hoping to get some momentum back into their season, as they welcomed Tylorstown to the Usk Valley.

The visit of the Tigers from the Rhondda Fach saw a return fixture following Brecon’s successful trip over the Beacons earlier in the season.

Following the recent spell of weather that had seen a significant curtailment of the sporting fixture lists, it was with relief that the squads gathered on a mild afternoon, with the playing surface of Brecon’s home ground having held up well to the recent challenges from the skies.

From the kick off it was obvious that the home team were willing to engage in a high tempo approach and it quickly became apparent that the visiting Tigers would struggle to deal with that pace.

Tries were not long in coming and it was telling that the first two scores were the result of a more direct approach, with intelligent and omnipresent open side flanker, Jonny Davies, plunging over for the first try, after a great off load from inspirational skipper Richie Davies, and centre James Price showing greet drive and determination in driving through under the posts.

The latter mentioned was the focus of most Brecon’s better play in the opening half hour, and he formed a strong midfield partnership with the solid and dependable Lee Parkinson.

After a period of haste and lack of precision in execution, the focus improved, and the players regained composure on the ball, further scores followed, with talented, and threatening, winger, Ryan Price, being on the end of a good handling move; live wire scrum half Sammy Hellard taking advantage of a blind side thrust to run in from 40 metres; and dangerous broken field runner, fullback Dafydd Edwards, benefitting from swift passing to beat the last defender for a score.

The home team took control of the game in terms of territory and possession, and the set pieces improving as the half increased. Combative hooker Olly Jones secured a number of balls against the head, ably supported by solid tight head Dan Stroud, whilst the second rows of Owain Williams and Rowan Starkey were increasingly prominent, the former pressing more with the ball in hand, and the latter playing with great intelligence and commitment as he dominated the line out. Busy No 8, Wil Prosser, was prominent, and influential in the loose, whilst his back row colleague, Harry Preece, was an increasingly physical presence around the field and at the breakdown.

The kickers did not enjoy great success off the floor, with only one of the scores being converted, although there was also a penalty goal converted to give a half time lead of 30 points to nil.

The penalty was indicative of how the visitors were being forced into errors by the continued pressure and, as the half progressed, their discipline started to falter, with the strong referee having cause to speak to their players on a number of occasions.

The home team were able to bolster their resources through the use of a strong bench of substitutes, and this meant that the pressure on the visiting tam remained at a high level.

This did have the unfortunate effect of manifesting itself with a breakdown in discipline and, after one particularly tetchy episode, the referee concluded that his earlier advice was not being heeded, and he had little option other than to show a red card to the visiting No. 8.

Brecon showed great composure and unity during this period, and reacted positively, not losing focus as they sought to build on their comfortable lead.

Substitutes Tom Witcomb and Rhys Evans were initially prominent with the former featuring in broken play, and the latter showing good hands, and impressive awareness, in releasing fellow substitute, the swift Lauchie Rourke Davies, for a well worked try in the corner.

There then followed a period of play when Brecon really upped their performance to a high level, with this perhaps being best realised when, after a number of thrusts and quickly released ruck ball, the ball was impressively moved along the three quarter line to set up vastly improved winger, Lucasz Kakolewski, on a 25 metre run for his first try for the Youth team.

The remainder of time that was played saw the hosts play an attractive and effective style of game, whilst the visitors continued their struggles with their disciplinary demons, a yellow card not helping their cause.

Full back Edwards showed quick feet to cross under the posts for his second, which preceded a great final score that brought the game to an early close as a fifty point gap was reached.

Substitute back rowers, Sam Maggs and Iolo Edwards had provided an effective impetus as they brought some direction to the physical areas of the game, and were willing to off load under pressure, this being supported by the availability of numerous off ball options.

This was highlighted by another Brecon break from deep from which Edwards was able to offload to flanker Jonny Davies, who capped a fine display by adding the final try to bookend his first effort early on.

Conversions from Trumper and Edwards saw the hosts record a 54-0 victory, which sets them up well for the remainder of the season.