Ynysybwl 29 Brecon 10.

BRECON traveled to the Valleys to face league leaders Ynysybwl on a cold but dry afternoon last Saturday.

From the kick off Brecon took control holding the majority of possession and territory and a Gari Davies kicked them into a three point lead. After being awarded a penalty in the 12 minute, Brecon opted to kick for touch and after a well functioned line out, Brecon set for a drive. The bind in the maul was not tight and the Ynysywl forwards drove though, stole the ball and allowed the home side to clear.

From here, the game changed. Brecon failed to build any kind of momentum as they regularly failed to keep the ball in contact allowing the opposition free ball to play with.

Ynysybwl finally scored when after playing the ball through a number of phases, second row Neil Griffiths dived over with outside half Dion McIntosh converted from a wide angle.

For the remainder of the half the same pattern persisted. They won good line out ball and the scrum was stable but Brecon continued to surrender the ball in contact.

A dropped ball in the Ynysybwl half allowed centre Jonathan Gough to break out and Brecon illegally killed the ball at the breakdown in their 22 outside half Mcintosh extended their lead.

Within minutes Ynysybwl extended their lead when Sean Ireland picked up a ball dropped in Brecon’s midfield. He carved through the defence and put left wing Dale Stuckey away for a try. Again Mcintosh converted.

Brecon fought back but failed to reduce the deficit and they failed to capitalise when given chances. Having escaped from their own 22 without surrendering a point, Ynysybwl flanker Ricky Thomas ripped the ball out of a tackle on half way, side stepped through the first line of defence and passed to Stuckey who chipped over the top and regathered to claim his second try.

In the second half, the home side looked dangerous but a dropped ball picked up by Brecon centre Eifion Jones allowed Brecon to try and make a come back. Successfully converted by Gari Davies, Brecon were now just 12 points behind.

Another dropped pass on halfway was claimed by Ynysybwl and win Ryan Lewis crossed for Ynysybwl’s fourth tru and Mcintosh converted from the touchline.