Following a four-week break due to poor weather and Autumn Internationals, Brecon were pleased to restart their league programme with a trip to Llangennech. Conditions were tricky, with a gusty wind and a damp ball, but the playing surface was in remarkably good condition. The match was important for both sides, with winless Brecon facing a Llangennech side just one place above them in the table.

A small contingent of Brecon supporters travelled hoping for a first win, but their hopes evaporated in the opening 10 minutes as Brecon conceded three tries and 19 points. The early reverses resulted from a combination of bad luck and recurring problems that have dogged Brecon throughout the season.

After promising early exchanges and a great claim from Llewlyn Bowen, outside half Jake Newman kicked ahead looking for a 50/22. The ball found space in the home 22 near the touchline, but the first bounce betrayed the conditions, sending the ball over the try line and dead. Brecon were brought back for a scrum on their ten-metre line, where they were penalised. Llangennech went to the corner, set up a maul, and the attempted to go wide. After another penalty, Llangennech set up a maul and Callum Jenkins crossed for the opening try.

A carbon-copy second try followed. Steff Marshall’s 50/22 put Llangennech in a promising position. Brecon held the first thrust but conceded a penalty, allowing the maul to drive over again, with Marshall converting. The third try was a remarkable solo effort from wing Luke Davies, who beat Lewis Rees in the air, landed on the run, and broke clear, with Marshall again adding the extras.

Trailing 19-0 after just 10 minutes played, Brecon showed character. From the kick-off, they put Llangennech under pressure and forced a line-out on the home 22. The line-out, often a weakness, was won cleanly, and Brecon set up a maul. Scrum half Geraint Workman spotted space around the open side, broke, and fed Lewis Rees, who carved through the defence to score. Newman converted to make it 19-7.

Before half-time, Brecon claimed another well-worked score. Joel Price put in a great tackle on halfway to win a penalty; from the line-out, Tom Richards made a break, Keiran Parry hit an excellent line and was brought down just short, before Huw Jones picked up and drove over. Newman’s conversion reduced the deficit.

In the remaining minutes of the half, Llangennech gained ground through Brecon’s persistent failure to cut down on penalties. Brecon picked up a yellow card but some great defence helped them to see out the half with a deficit of just five points.

The second half saw Brecon start brightly, looking the more dangerous side. They created several chances, including breaks from Richards and Huw Jones, a spilled pass from Newman, and a held-up driving maul on the 5-metre line. Yet persistent penalties and inconsistent line-outs proved costly.

With time running out, Brecon were forced to chase the game. Losing the ball in defence allowed Llangennech to win a penalty, set up a line-out, drive the maul, and score, with Marshall converting to seal a 26-14 victory.

Brecon can, however, take cheer from news that the Athletic had secured a quarter-final Cup place with a 22-5 victory at New Tredegar.