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BRECON (5) v GWERNYFED (8)
GWERNYFED WIN THE DERBY
Some years ago, after Brecon had lost at Trefecca Road, one of their supporters commented that his side had come second to ‘a pub side’. The comment obviously stuck in the craw of the Gwernyfed faithful, but how that supporter must regret his injudicious allegation as it has been a constant spur for the green, white and blacks as derby day approaches. Since that day victory has always belonged to Gwernyfed and on Saturday the record was maintained when Danny Skyrme’s men completed the double over the big town boys once again.
A large and vociferous crowd greeted the gladiators on a day where use of the strong wind blowing down the Parc de Pugh pitch looked to be a major factor in deciding the outcome. The wind did play its part, but not in the manner predicted; rather it dictated the organisation of the defences facing the wind and showed that it was the Gwernyfed coaching team who edged the tactical battle.
Gwernyfed had first use of the gale, but it was the home outfit that looked the better organised in the early exchanges. With the wind in their faces the home pack kept the ball tight with Alan Taylor and Tom Daley supplementing the short drive with some impressive progress. By keeping possession Brecon denied Gwernyfed opportunity to kick for position and the policy looked to have borne fruit when the home pack ploughed over the line only for the referee to adjudge that the ball had been held up.
When Gwernyfed finally saw some ball they benefitted from some strong play by Gareth Dodd, supported by Huw Wright who almost put George Barden over save for a nudge forward. However, the scoreboard finally clicked into action after thirty minutes when some less than complimentary comments to the referee gave Gerwyn Williams the chance to open up a three point lead for the visitors.
A healthy lead looked to be vital if Gwernyfed were to defend against the wind. Brecon completely frustrated the ambition, keeping the ball close courtesy of locks Darren Whitcomb and Berwyn Roderick and offering some threat when Osian Davies combined with Daniel Edwards to go close down the left wing.
As the coaches got to work during the interval, the home support was clearly confident that a three point deficit could be easily overhauled. Colin Rees and his coaching team at Trefecca Road thought differently and issued pack leader Dave Roberts with the marching orders for the second period – keep the ball close and show how much the game means.
Brecon kicked off but once the ball had been run back into the home side’s half there was very little by way of opportunity to excite the home support. Time and time again the Gwernyfed pack picked and drove, front rowers James Handiside, Craig Fuller and Steve Price taking on plenty of hard work. When the ball did appear on the red side of the maul it was squandered by some poor kicking and after an hour there was little sign of another score.
When a clearance did stay on the paddock at last it was run back by Gwernyfed. With
the runner slightly isolated the home pack scented a chance and snaffled the ball,
Eifion Jones releasing his backs who enjoyed an unusual amount of space, the move
being finished in fine fashion in the right-
Only a two point lead, but with the strong wind at their backs Brecon looked to have secured a win, a proposition reflected by the outbreak of celebratory singing in the Brecon supporters’ ranks. They were soon to be silenced.
With the benefit of some good line out work by Sam Stephens after Gareth Dodd had placed a penalty into the Brecon 22, the green, white and black pack drove into their big town opponents, Richard East and Steve Harley applying particular pressure to what was a tiring defence. The game was all about hard yards and as Gwernyfed inched to the line, Brecon looked to have withstood the siege until a score arrived from the unlikely source of Mark Price, substituting for the injured Izaak Duffy, the Llandefalle man worming his way thorough the forward traffic to touch down.
Brecon, anxious to avoid yet another derby defeat, tore back into the fray but a combination of dropped passes and superb defence meant that the visitors’ 22 metre line was never breached and when yet another penalty for indiscipline was awarded against the desperate home side, Gareth Dodd put the ball out of the park to herald huge celebrations amongst the massive visiting support.
This was hardly champagne rugby. However, the game underlined the huge commitment
demonstrated by players and coaches to the cause of local rugby, with the level of
support showing how much that commitment is appreciated by the rugby-