Brecon travelled to Ystrad Rhondda looking to maintain the momentum they have gained during their previous three matches.

They achieved an eight-point win on a balmy autumn afternoon at Gelligaled Park.

Without showing any disrespect to a very good Ystrad team, Brecon, on balance, should have emerged as more comfortable winners.

Brecon could and should have been more accurate and clinical.

For the first 25 minutes, Brecon dominated territory and possession. Twice they turned down opportunities to score off straightforward penalties and went for kicks to the corner. On both occasions their driving maul was held. A third drive also failed and then a Tomos Davies break looked as if it would yield the first score only for Davies to be held up on the line with a magnificent cover tackle.

In spite of all the play taking place in the Ystrad half, it was the home team who scored first with a great individual try. A poor Brecon kick was gathered in his own half by wing, Alex Webber. With time and space, he carried the ball, chipped the defensive line, reclaimed the kick and raced away to score under the posts, giving Lewis Williams the easiest of conversions.

Brecon had to hit back to dent the growing confidence of the opposition.

Kristian Dacey and Alwyn Lee combined to threaten and win a penalty. This time, with Ystrad down to 14 men following a yellow card, Brecon scored as Geraint Clarke dotted down off the back of a maul. James Dixon converted to level the scores and then added a penalty to give Brecon a lead which they took into half-time.

The second half followed a similar pattern but this time Brecon scored early.

The score came as Geraint Clarke broke through the defence. His advance was halted by a tap tackle but he popped the ball up to Sam Jones. Tight in the corner, Jones stepped and dived through the attempted tackle to score.

A great Dixon 50/22 kick then gave Brecon a line-out deep in the home 22. A short throw and a well-set maul allowed Kristian Dacey to score, and Dixon converted.

Brecon should now have been looking for a try bonus point but instead Ystrad hit back. Brecon surrendered a penalty in their 22 and were penalised with a yellow card. Ystrad capitalised and Callum Davies scored a converted try.

When Brecon conceded a second yellow card, the final minutes were tense and there was a genuine sense of relief mixed with achievement as with the final play, Brecon’s depleted scrum won a penalty deep in their 22. A tap and a kick to touch delivered the victory.

Brecon now have week’s break before they face Newbridge in the second round of the Premiership Cup, at Parc de Pugh on October 26.

With that break the focus will fall on the unbeaten Athletic team, that pulled of a creditable 28-28 draw at Tondu, when they travel to Cardiff to meet Cardiff Met on October 19.