Brecon’s rugby season finally came to an end as the senior team turned out against visitors Narberth.

Brecon, now facing relegation from the Premiership, faced a Narberth side which confirmed their survival just a week ago with their bonus-point win over Llanelli Wanderers. As a result, the game had little relevance for either side other than the fact that both teams would have been looking to finish with something of a flourish as they entered the off season. While Narberth would have been boosted by their victory over the Wanderers, Brecon came into the game on the back of a single-point defeat, 26-27, in the midweek game also against the Wanderers.

That was a game that Brecon should have won. After a poor start they conceded an early try but then bounced back with a superb try created by Geraint Workman and brilliantly finished by Tom Richards. Newman’s conversion put them ahead before Llanelli Wanderers hit back with two tries while Brecon were down to 14 men following a yellow card. Then, as the half drew towards a close, Brecon took the lead when, first Luke Evans scored a try after a long period of pressure, and then Huw Jones scored a great try, with Workman again featuring in the build-up.

When Brecon kicked off with the wind at their backs they were immediately pegged back. The kick-off went straight into touch and off the scrum on halfway, scrum-half Aron Hemmings broke and ran to score a brilliant individual try after beating defender after defender. From there Brecon dominated the game, which was almost exclusively played in the Wanderers half. However, they failed to score as opportunities went begging, until Jake Newman squeezed in at the corner and converted brilliantly from out wide. Now two points ahead and with minutes to go, they were awarded an easily kickable penalty but elected to kick for the corner. The lineout was lost and the Wanderers broke up field to win a penalty of their own. Into the wind, Rhys Harris nailed his kick to win the game for the visitors by a single point.

On the back of that loss, Brecon entered the match against Narberth with a side shorn of a large contingent of their senior players who were away on an end-of-season senior tour. Right from the kick-off, the makeshift side found itself under pressure and within no time they were 14 points down. Some hope surfaced when Brecon responded with prop Henry Hibbs scoring off the back of a driving maul. Any hope of a comeback, however, was quickly dispelled as Brecon spilled a ball almost straight after the kick-off and Narberth scored a converted try. A further two tries before half-time left Brecon 31 points to 5 down at the interval.

There was no coming back in the second half as Narberth claimed an early score. Brecon did then stabilise things for a time with Keiran Parry, Aneurin James and Alwyn Lee putting in a big effort, supported off the bench by Josh Pritchard and Gwernyfed’s Geraint Powell. Brecon were grateful that Powell had made himself available to cover their player shortage and he looked for work, showing up time and again with ball in hand. It would also be appropriate to acknowledge the contribution of two Brecon youth players. Gruff Peters, on his second outing with the senior side, again impressed and Owain Evans-Taylor did not look out of his depth on his senior debut.

Eventually, however, Narberth’s superior pace, power and organisation took control once again and they finished with another two tries to bring the season to a close.

With thoughts now turning towards the new season and life in the Championship, there is hope rather than despondency, despite the relegation. The coaching team of Kristian Dacey, Adam Powell and Matthew Trowbridge have confirmed that they will continue their coaching duties. In spite of the disappointment of relegation, they have kept the young squad together and the team has grown and developed under the sympathetic and constructive approach that the coaches have brought to the club. As a result, the majority of the squad have confirmed their commitment to Brecon for next season and, with plans to strengthen the squad both from within the club and from outside where there is need, there was a positive feel about the post-match end-of-season get-together at Parc de Pugh.