IN memory of Alan Howe, better known as Coote, a charity match between the present second XV and the youth team of 1995-1999 took place.

Alan served as the Club’s steward for more than 20 years before moving on to run the Rourke’s Drift Pub and more recently the Boars Head.

During Alan’s early years as steward at Brecon RFC the Club’s successful Youth teams were building an impressive reputation across South Wales.

Not only did the teams post impressive playing records but they also drew International attention with Ian Poley, Dylan and Steffan Jones gaining Wales School Caps and Ian McQueen gaining Wales Youth Caps. Many of that group have players have remained in contact over the years with regular re-unions at the Rugby Club taking place.

With that as the background it seemed fitting to organise a Memorial Match which could also provide the opportunity to raise money in support of Wales Air Ambulance.

The match was played in good conditions and both teams played their hearts out in what proved to be a fluid, evenly contested spectacle.

The young Brecon second XV were full of youthful enterprise and running while their more senior opponents relied on “weight” of experience, subtlety and regular opportunities to take time. Not that all of the team took those opportunities however.

The front row was made up of Andrew Davies, Alan Taylor and Gareth Owens all of whom still play regularly with Brecon 1st or 2nd XV’s. In the second row also the veterans made use of regular 1st XV player Danny Howe, son of Alan and at full back it was good to see Gwyn Pengelly return after a year out of rugby.

To the casual observer the result of the match was of little consequence but that could hardly have been said for the sides on the field. Pride was at stake and the match was close with the deciding score not coming until the final minutes of the game.

To some extent the game followed a predictable pattern. The former youth team, started with a bang. Showing that their old skills hadn’t deserted them even if their searing pace of old was now a thing of memory, they played intelligent rugby and posted the first score with a well worked try.

The second XV having been taken by surprise by the intensity of their opponents then struck back and the game see-sawed its way towards half time.

During the interval the large and generous crowd were entertained to an under 8s tag match, which kept everyone entertained.

Brecon 2nd XV sensed that perhaps their more mature opponents were beginning to tire and began to take control. Amongst the crowd there was a feeling that perhaps the senior team were beginning to run on empty but they were to be proved wrong.

Outside half Mark Withey brought them back into the game with a magnificent drop goal. That was followed by an outstanding piece of defensive work when Gary Cole, who had a great game for the 2nd XV, broke through the middle and looked odds on to score, only to be cut down with a great Gwyn Pengelly cover tackle.

As the game entered the final minutes the 2nd XV held a narrow lead and now surely their opponents had nothing left. To everyone’s surprise they did. A match winning try was scored and wild celebrations started.

Don Howe, Chairman of Brecon RFC and brother of the late Alan Howe, presented the Trophy to his nephew Danny and the champagne flowed. It was then back to the Club where celebrations continued in spite of Wales losing to England at Twickenham.

The whole day was a great success and was a fitting tribute to a man who did so much for Brecon RFC over a long period. Undoubtedly there were many glasses raised in memory of a special individual.