For their final warm-up match prior to their first season in National League Division 6 East Central, Brecon Athletic travelled to Whitchurch.

Athletic faced the Whitchurch 1st XV, also in their first season of the National League, but in Division 6 East.

This was the third consecutive Saturday where the team has had to travel away, not an ideal situation but necessary in terms of preparation for the season. Having struggled to form their strongest squad in the previous two games they were boosted by the fact that for the journey to the outskirts of Cardiff they travelled with strength in depth.

Right from the first kick-off it was obvious that Brecon possessed both the power and pace to test their opponents. No 8 Josh Hamilton took the kick off and set off on a defence busting run. Then off the first scrum Brecon moved the ball wide with left wing Isaac Demesi entering the line and linking with full back Kyran Dillon. From the breakdown Brecon switched the attack with right wing Dafydd Edwards making space for Dillon who put centre Luis Price through for the first try which Dillon converted. After just five minutes of play, Brecon were seven points up and for the remainder of the first half they scored at will, at more than a point per minute, to arrive at the interval with a 41 points to nil lead and with seven tries and three conversions in the bag.

Much to Whitchurch’s credit they mounted stiffer resistance in the second half although Brecon still dominated and added a further four tries and three conversions. On the positive side for Whitchurch two players stood out at inside centre and right wing. Both caused Brecon’s defence some problems and at the final whistle they were rewarded when they had the final say with a deserved try of their own.

For most of the afternoon, however, it was one way traffic. Brecon possessed too much power and pace. Whenever they got the ball wide, they opened up the home defence and had the pace to finish the move. On the power side Rhys Mills was a rock in the scrums and brothers Ellis and Rhodri Jenkins were outstanding. As flanker and second row, respectively, neither shirked their basic duties at scrum, line out or in defence defensive duties but it was in the open where  they excelled with great support work, powerful runs and great hands. Rhodri’s line out steal provided the possession to allow Kyran Dillon to cut through for the second try which he again converted. Then Ellis went on a rampaging run to put scrum half Gwylim Workman over for the third try before he scored the fifth try while supporting wide out on the wing.

In terms of pace, Brecon possessed it in abundance. Dillon was a constant thorn in the flesh of the home team as he entered the line at every opportunity and countered with devastating effect. Young Luis Price, at centre, also looked to be a player of great potential. While wings, Isaac Demesi and Dafydd Edwards were eager for work and always dangerous with ball in hand.

Other positives were the cool and calm direction of the effort led by captain James Hellard, the promise of scrum half Gwilym Workman, the hard work of hooker Rhys Evans, flanker Iwan Davies and second row Owain Williams, while a number of youngsters who came on off the bench, such as Sam Davies, Ryan Luker, Callum Williams, Lewie Crockett, and Jacob Demesi impressed and showed there is strength in depth. Added to that was the experience that Brecon were able to call upon off the bench. The likes of Will Prosser and josh Millichap will have big parts to play as the season progresses. Also pleasing was to see Brecon stalwarts Jake Crockett, Sam Hellard, Ryan James, and Aaeron Evans turning out to add their undoubted skill and experience to what is essentially a young side.

If there were any negatives it was that, understandably, Brecon dipped off their high level of performance in the second half, perhaps as a result of complacency and the multiple substitutions.

The only other negative related to what looked like a serious leg injury to prop Thomas Witcomb after just seven minutes of play. Losing Tom ,not just for this game, but perhaps for a few weeks, was a blow, but it was a blow that could have been avoided. Brecon failed to get anywhere the kick off and allowed the ball to bounce. Tom, in trying to clear up, almost on the touch line, was hit by a number of chasers and his game ended. Brecon can, and should, learn from that.They have to organised and vocal at the kick off and secure possession at the kick off rather than give their opponents any chance to hit back after a score against them.

Brecon now have two weeks to prepare for their first League match, with a journey to Cardiff once again, to face St Peters Athletic, a game which is likely to be a real test away from home.