Ioan Edwards put in a man of the match display for Brecon as they triumphed 30-17 against Cambrian Welfare on Saturday afternoon at Parc de Pugh

The number eight crossed for the home side’s third try at the end of the first half, and was at the centre of his team’s best moves throughout the game.

The WRU Division 1 Cup fixture became a scrappier affair in the second half, but Brecon will be happy to have begun their cup campaign with a win.

Cambrian Welfare (CW) are from the Clydach Vale, a team who are operating in East Central.

They are not a club that Brecon have come across to any great extent in recent times, and the fact that this was an early season meeting meant that both teams could not draw upon significant recent performances with which to base their understanding of their opponents on. Yet, the home coaching team were very much aware that they would be facing a strong unit, with an impressive collective will and desire.

Following a minute’s silence and reflection, which was impeccably observed by all, the teams took up position seeking to make early inroads in terms of possession and territory.

It was CW who got proceedings under way as they kicked off towards the town end, in a game which Brecon were grateful was being sponsored by Brad Williams. The recent fine weather has continued and, whilst the heat has abated to some extent, the weather and pitch conditions still provide opportunities for teams to play an expansive game should they wish.

The home team, in gaining possession from the kick-off, immediately won a penalty with a visiting transgression, and this allowed Brecon to kick for touch and take a lineout. However, in a move that was somewhat reflective of previous games, and also in terms of how this game progressed, the home line-out wobbled slightly and this gave a scrum feed-in to the visiting team. Equally, he dominance that Brecon achieved at the scrum, and the resulting penalty won, gave an indication to the home supporters that this could be a profitable area for their team as the afternoon progressed.

The opening period of the game was characterised by both teams making a number of unforced errors, and the home team, in particular, seemed tentative in their approach.

During this period, both teams rushed their attacks and it was no surprise that both fell on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle and they both conceded a number of penalties. Shots at goal were taken, and it was from one of these that the stalemate was broken when the Brecon outside half, Dion Macintosh, landed his first goal to put Brecon ahead.

The frantic nature of the game did see the home team try to put the ball through the hands on a number of occasions, although this was often undermined by simple handling errors. The positive from this would have been the growing intent to impose themselves on the game, although the situation did call out occasionally for a more direct approach from the ball carriers, and to reduce the tendency to move laterally.

To their credit, the visiting Welfare unit also brought some ambition to the game, although they too were often guilty of squandering opportunities through poor handling or decision making.

The latter part of the first half saw an increase in tempo from the home team, and they were able to string together some increased phase play that supported their ambition to go from deep.

On one such occasion, following a 50-metre incursion from deep in their territory, fly half Mackintosh saw an opportunity to float a kick out wide which was claimed by winger Sammy Hellard. He was able to use quick feet and hands, and linked well with No 8 Ioan Edwards who provided the final off load for Hellard to plunge over in the corner for the game’s first try. Dion Mackintosh built on his excellent contribution with the earlier kick-pass, to convert the score with an excellent effort from out wide.

This score had the result of galvanising both teams into showing some more intent with the ball in hand, and the game really did fluctuate between either team attacking relentlessly, but being denied by some increasingly focused defensive efforts.

CW had been strong in elements of their own game, particularly in their own driving lineout, and from one such set piece, following a penalty kick to touch, they successfully drove over the town end line for their own opening score. The conversion was unsuccessful but the phase of play had sent out warning signs to the home side

To Brecon’s credit, they did respond with a period of the game that saw them dominate in most facets. They were able to gain good territory often from some strong running by their outside backs.

Following a quick tap and go from a penalty, Brecon saw rapid progress being made, only for the visiting team to offend once more with what was deemed a deliberate knockdown. The referee had no hesitation in running under the posts to award a penalty try, while also showing a yellow card for the offence.

Shortly afer this A powerful break by captain, Jake Crockett, took play into CW territory from where, the home team applied significant pressure as the half time approached. This was played out through a sequence of penalties, lines-out and, ultimately as series of scrums close to the CW try line. After some strong drives, and also some frustrating resets, No 8 Edwards picked the ball up, and showed good footwork and power to drive over for the score. Another fine Mackintosh goal saw the whistle blow for half time the with the home team leading 24-5.

During the half time break, the coaches would have been asking for greater cohesion, commitment, and precision in their game, and would also have highlighted the need to ensure that the second period saw their charges starting strongly.

Brecon had a mixed bag of a second half, where any positive aspects of their play, and there were a number, were undermined by the seeming lack of pattern and cohesion, and also the fact that they seemed prone to errors.

Both teams conceded a number of penalties as the game became disjointed, and the referee had cause to speak to players, and the captains, on a couple of occasions.

CW enjoyed some dominance in certain periods of the game, and they ran the ball at the home team with power and real intent, in addition to the continued value of their driving lines-out. During this period, they scored two further tries, one of which was converted, which enabled them to claw back the gap to 24-17.

Brecon, however, rallied again, and the pressure they were able to exert saw them rewarded with a number of penalties, two of which Dion Mackintosh landed to extend the home team lead to 30-17.

This was to turn out to be the final score of the game, although the latter periods of the match saw the visitors upping their efforts again, although it is to the credit of the Brecon team that they compiled a series of strong defensive efforts to thwart the visiting ambitions, and, no matter how the team felt they performed in general, the spirit involved in stringing together such phases of play indicates a squad with a strong team and work ethic.

It is to the credit of the Brecon squad that they came away with a win at the end of the day, and their preparations have undoubtedly been hampered by a number of injuries across the squad.

This has resulted in their being no consistency in terms of who the coaching staff have had at their disposal, and has also seen a number of players being asked to perform out of their normal positions.

Credit must always be given to the opposition and it is worth reiterating that CW were very determined and competitive.

A return to league action next week will see the Brecon squad work hard at training in the meantime, to build upon a positive result, but also take on the direction of the coaches as they seek to work on certain areas of the game, with a view to improving performances as we start to move deeper into the season.

It is also important to note that, in addition to the success enjoyed by the firsts, the Athletic had a good win (47-0) away at Dowlais, and the Youth also claimed a hard fought win against Merthyr.