Here is part two of three of our look back at major sporting events last year, 2021. This second part looks at months May through to August.
May: Tributes to former Christ College Master Gary Haplin
Gary also made 11 caps for Ireland, playing as a prop. As well as this he threw the hammer for his country. In the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Halpin scored his only international try against New Zealand at Ellis Park.
Gary passed away suddenly on February 23rd at the of 55.
In Trumper’s eulogy, he said: “Gary and Christ College were a good fit. He clearly felt comfortable with the lack of pretension and as part of a proud sporting tradition of a small but feisty ancient school.”
Christ College’s former Director of Sport went on to say: “Gary was a very genuine man, a natural people person with the common touch, and amongst his incarnations and guises, a comfortable and gifted teacher.
“Happy circumstances brought him to Christ College with a special result for all the young people and colleagues whose lives he touched.”
June: Brecon move up to third after back-to-back wins
The month of June saw Brecon move up to third place in Division Two of the South East Wales Cricket League with impressive back-to-back victories at home on the final weekend of the Month.
On the Saturday, Brecon’s batsmen overhauled a tough target of 193 set by Pontymister & Crosskeys to win the match by six wickets.
Brecon’s bastmen chased down an even higher target the following day, to claim another six-wicket victory. The star of Brecon’s innings was Ireland international rugby player, Kieron Marmian. Marmian finished with 108 runs, which included seven fours and four sixes.
July: High-scoring fixtures delight fans in return of JD Welsh Cup
In July, football returned for the first time in 16 months across Powys.
The season got underway with a handful of fixtures in the JD Welsh Cup. Brecon Corries put six past Carno to reach the second qualifying round of the cup, as Builth Wells beat Rhayader Town 2-1. Knighton Town edged through to the next round with a 4-3 win on penalties over Hay St Marys, following their goalless ninety minutes.
Radnor Valley’s cup tie against Presteigne St. Andrews was cancelled due to Covid cases in the Radnor squad. They were also unable to field a team for their first league game of the season on their new pitch.
August: Fans rejoice at rugby’s return to Parc de Pugh
Rugby finally made a return in August as Brecon beat Dowlais, 29-11.
A large crowed turned out to watch Brecon’s outstanding second half performance, as they scored four tries. The 17-month lay off meant many changes to Brecon’s Senior team with some senior players moving on and others unavailable for the fixture.
Brecon’s victory in the season opener came through a converted penalty and four tries from: Winger, Joe McDean, Centre, Oliver Lewis (2), and substitute Scrum Half, Sam Hellard, who also helped set up one of Oliver Lewis’ two tries when he entered the field.
Join us here again tomorrow at the same time for the final part of our Sports Review for 2021!