‘But we lost!’ - Brecon edged out by strong opposition

For the final pre-season match Brecon took on a massive challenge as they welcomed Championship side Bedwas to a parched and rock hard Parc de Pugh, writes Ron Rowsell.

Bedwas will undoubtedly be challenging for a return to the Premiership along with the likes of former Prem teams Beddau, Pontypool and Neath.

In the post-match summing up Dale McIntosh praised the team’s performance but his final response said a lot about the culture he and his coaching ream are trying to build. “I am going to finish with just three words – BUT WE LOST!

For Brecon to opt for a team of their pedigree for their final warm-up match was ambitious but showed the direction of travel of the coaching team, Dale McIntosh, Gavin Dacey and Owen Sheppeard.

It was an ambition which could have backfired in that a heavy defeat and injuries could have undermined the start of the new league season but they showed faith in their squad of players and in the coaching programme they have put in place.

In the end their confidence was fully justified as Brecon almost pulled off a notable victory, ultimately losing by just two points in a match in which both sides scored five tries.

The difference in the end was a single missed conversion from the widest of angles in an otherwise immaculate kicking display by outside half Dion McIntosh.

What will have pleased the coaching team most was the development that the squad has shown as it progressed through the three pre-season matches.

Once again, the scrum was an area of strength even against the far bulkier and more experience Bedwas pack. The line out which was poor at Dunvant, better against Narberth was better still against Bedwas and was a good source of quality possession.

There were one or two losses but to make up for those Brecon also stole a number of line outs on the opposition throw. Two other areas also were vastly improved. Brecon were far more secure on their own possession at the breakdown and they also managed to retain possession in contact. This had an influential effect on their game. They were able to build through phases and as a result their patterns of attacking play had the opportunity to develop and flourish. Great use was made of the wings and full back in midfield and forwards offered themselves on straight hard runs off a flat pop-up pass. The cumulative effect of this all-round improvement was that Brecon found the try line five times whereas previously they struggled to cross the whitewash.

Another impressive feature was that the whole squad of 26 players were given a run out. It would have been tempting, against such strong opponents to stick with your perceived strongest team, but in this case everyone was given an opportunity and in many ways, this was a measure of the trust and belief that the coaching team has in the commitment of the whole squad.

The game itself started as an evenly balanced contest. Right from the start the scrum was impressive and good ball was won at the line out. Brecon also showed that they were not afraid to attack from deep and defence was good. One very promising attack almost created an opening for Owen Morgan who looked very sharp in his first run out. Unfortunately, he was just caught as he went for the gap in the opponents 22 and he ended with what looked like a nasty ankle injury.

On 15 minutes Bedwas suddenly broke the dead-lock. From a penalty into the Brecon 22 the set up a driving maul which Brecon contained but conceded a further penalty. From the second maul the pack peeled off and Bedwas were awarded the first try which was converted.

As the first quarter reached its climax Bedwas added to their lead. After a number of good Brecon attacks in which Eifion Jones and Ryan Price were prominent, Bedwas countered. Brecon seemed to have snuffed out the threat but a hacked clearance ended up straight in the arms of their right wing and he ran in unopposed.

Fourteen points down Brecon responded brilliantly. They put together a number of promising attacks with Alwyn Lee, Iwan Dowling Jones, Darren Witcomb, Sam Hellard and Kyran Dillon prominent. When Dillon chipped ahead and gathered, he almost put Ollie Lewis through. However, Brecon quickly recycled the ball and Iwan Dowling Jones crashed over for a try which Dion McIntosh converted.

In the dying minutes of the first half the game which had been an entertaining affair ended on a high. First Bedwas scored after their wing picked up a loose ball and they looked to be heading into the break with a 14 point lead but Brecon hit back with the final play. Prop, Kevin Jones almost broke through before quick recycled ball was handled brilliantly and right wing Sam Hellard was able to deliver the scoring pass to Geraint Workman who crossed in the corner. The conversion just failed but Brecon were visibly buoyed by the score.

Bedwas put Brecon under pressure in the early phases of the second half but the defence was up to the task and the scrum helped Brecon win a penalty to bring relief. Some great driving play in which Alwyn Lee, Matthew Williams and Ioan Edwards were prominent led to a line out on the Bedwas 22. Dion McIntosh spun the ball wide and with dummy rummers drawing the defence and Sam Hellard was put over for a try which McIntosh converted.

As was the pattern of the game Bedwas hit back. A well-constructed driving maul finally allowed them to score a try which again was converted. Brecon looked to hit back immediately. Morgan Price looked as if he had scored only to be pulled back for a crossing offence and then a great Ben Griffin run was shut out near the corner. With Brecon pressing the next score went against the run of play. An overthrown line out just inside the Brecon half was picked off by Bedwas and in the confusion Bedwas broke and scored their fifth converted try.

Brecon were now sixteen points behind but deserved better. They took it into their own hands to deliver. Dion McIntosh kicked beautifully for the corner and from the line out Brecon constructed a tight driving maul. When it was brought down on the try-line, international referee, Adam Jones had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try.

As the game entered the closing stages Brecon took control of the game. Running out of defence with confidence they created a platform. Great width almost brought a try and at the second attempt they scored a beauty. Forwards initially drove the ball up and supplied quick ball which McIntosh used beautifully in delivering a wide flat pass to Ryan Price who scored in the corner. McIntosh added the conversion as the final whistle went leaving Brecon just two points short of their illustrious opponents.

Final score: Brecon 33 - Bedwas 35