Page 6 - Brecon RFC News Summer 2017

06
BRECON RFC
YOUTH XV STATS
What a season! Never to be forgotten, will it ever be repeated? Youth Team Manager Tom Jones reports...
BRECON RFC
YOUTH XV REPORT
As I look back on our season and start to realise what this squad has achieved, the big question for me is how?
First Brecon RFC is very fortunate they have two extremely talented and dedicated coaches in Huw and Al. As soon as the preseason training started in late July they asked questions of the players making sure they had the skill set and fitness required for the long season ahead.
Training numbers were good and remained healthy throughout the season, creating competition for places, with ALL players realising, they could not pick and choose games. Playing Cwmbran away in a friendly became as important as Rhydefelin at home in the league and no one was selected on reputation. If you wanted to play on Saturday, you trained twice in the week, simple.
Winning is a habit and coaches used the preseason friendlies to offer all players plenty of game time to ensure that everyone become familiar with the game plan. The season got off to a great start with a 15 points to nil home win against Rhydyfelin. This ensured that all involved with the squad realised they were good enough to compete at this level.
There were a few times during the season when the squad under-performed. Losses away at Rhydyfelin and Tylorstown in the league made the team and management realise that winning the league was going to be tough. In the new year the boys refocused and a 27 pts to 24pts home win against Tonyrefail was for me the turning point and with other results going our way the reality was a win at Pontyclun would ensure that the league would be ours.
A bus full of supporters and players headed to Pontyclun and secured the title for the first time in Brecon Youth’s history with a 38pts to 14pts win.
The Heart Of Wales cup was a rollercoaster of emotion. A last gasp 16 pts to 13 pts win at home (thanks to a Dafydd Edwards penalty) vs Abercynon, set up an away tie at Gwernyfed. The local derby played between two good sides, was a classic and was thoroughly enjoyed by a large partisan crowd.
If you are going to beat your close rivals in the cup then this was the way to do it. At one stage Gwernyfed were pushing hard and with a two man advantage. It appeared Brecon’s season was about to be derailed, but it was to be. The 13 man Brecon team held on for a memorable win, 18pts to 13 pts, and a good night was had by all.
The next match was Ynysowen in the semis. The Brecon team was too strong throughout and ran out comfortable winners to set up a re-run of last year’s final against Mountain Ash.
The Heart Of Wales Final was a classic. The match was played at the Wern, Merthyr, and although Brecon lead at half time they were never in control of the tie. With only 15minutes remaining we went eight points behind. Once again the team proved to be remarkably resilient. Brecon turned the tide with a Huw Thomas penalty and a fine individual try for Ben Griffin, winning the cup 19 pts to 17pts
Breconshire Cup
The Semi-final match, away at Builth Wells was arguably Brecon’s finest display of the season. We scored 5 tries to seal a 36pts to nil victory on a wet Friday night at the Groe. It was an incredible display
All roads led to Parc De Pugh for the Final against Gwernyfed. The match was not a classic, with many of the boys exhausted from their exploits against Mountain Ash in the cup the previous Saturday. Somehow the boys regrouped and proved to be, for the second year running, worthy winners of the Breconshire cup as they snatched a 17 pts to 15 pts win.
Finally, the hat trick was complete and the season over. As the dust settles the challenge for all involved has been laid down. As pre-season and training dawns, we will have to be even better prepared as we have now become the team every other team will want to beat.
We will say good bye to nine players who are too old for next season. We hope all of them will continue to play in Brecon senior side colours. At the same time we welcome last year’s under 16s with great anticipation and very much hope and expect they will fill the void created by the migration of the older boys.
The season Brecon youth has just experienced is not down to luck (although you need some) it is a reflection of how hard you have all worked and proof of how talented this squad of boys is. It was a fabulous season, one that will remain with me for ever. It has been a pleasure and a lot of fun.
Tom Jones
Youth Team Manager
Season Statistics
Played 26
Won 20
Lost 6
Points For 585 Points Against 313
Honours
League Champions (BBI) Heart Of Wales Cup Winners Breconshire Cup Winners
Awards
Players Player of the Season
Tudor Roderick
Coaches Player of the Season
Dafydd Edwards
Most Improved Player
Tom Witcomb
Clubman of the Season
Sam Maggs
Top Try Scorers
Tudor Roderick 17 Dafydd Edwards 14 Will Prosser 8
Top Points Scorer
Dafydd Edwards 165pts
Total Players Played
38