Fixture

Saturday 21st September 2019

SPECSAVERS NATIONAL PLATE  Round 1

BRECON RFC 36 RHIWBINA RFC 24

This was a repeat of last season’s National Plate fourth round fixture and despite another spirited effort from the Squirrels, the outcome was the same.  Brecon progress to the next round but unlike some of the other teams in the draw, they had to work hard for the win - there were a shameful 11 walk-overs in the first round fof the competition.

Rhiw travelled to Parc de Pugh with yet more new faces in the squad but as is always the case, there was Belief in the players and coaches as well as on their kit.  And it started well with the Squirrels earning a penalty which was slotted for three points from the boot of Nick Saunders.

When Brecon moved the ball, they had some serious gas in their backline, and they struck back almost immediately with two converted tries and a penalty goal.  By half time, despite being awarded a penalty try, Rhiwbina were behind 24-10. 

The home team must have had a lot to discuss in their changing room during the break because they took their ten minutes and more to return to the pitch.  If it was a tactic, it failed because it was the Squirrels who dominated the early exchanges and it saw James Griffiths spot a gap in the defensive line at a ruck and race over for a try, which was converted by Nick Saunders.

The next two scores by Brecon took them into what was ultimately, an unassailable lead but the way Rhiw finished the game was most impressive.  After five consecutive penalties against the home team in their red zone, the referee awarded another well-deserved penalty try to the battling Squirrels.  With more than a few minutes left on the official pitch-side clock, the referee blew the final whistle.  The game finished 36-24 but the travelling support left with more than a little Belief that this squad will win more than they lose this season.