LAST GASP MAGIC
Ammanford RFC 25 Brecon RFC 24
This was a gripping WRU Plate last 16 game. Ammanford welcomed Division One East side Brecon to the Rec. Brecon are coached by Dale McIntosh and were expecting to progress to the quarter finals but some last gasp magic from outside half Ryan Williams and some scintillating running by wing Ellis Lewis put the skids under their ambitions.
The game had been pushed back from last week due to a frozen pitch, but this week conditions were ideal for rugby. Ammanford started well moving the ball fluently, winning and missing a penalty. Brecon came back with their big forwards and they missed a penalty. The first 20 minutes was similar to a heavyweight boxing match with both sides sizing the other up but neither side threatening to score. The stalemate was broken when off an attacking lineout Brecon moved the ball into midfield and after a few phases worked a space for their flanker to squeeze over, the conversion was added and Brecon led 0-7.
Ammanford were spurred into action forcing an attacking scrum 20m out, scrum half and skipper Alex Davies snipped around the narrow side, put wing Lewis away who stepped his man and darted over for the home sides opening try, Williams added the extras 7-7. It did not take long for Lewis to get his second, Brecon from an attacking lineout on the home 22m line moved the ball into midfield. A poor pass in midfield saw the ball pop up. It was quickly gathered by Williams and then transferred rapidly to Lewis, who proceeded to round his man and galloped down the wing leaving the chasing defenders grasping at thin air.
The home side then got on the wrong side of the referee and ensuing penalties allowed the Brecon outside half to drive Ammanford deep into their own half. Using the lineout the big Brecon forwards drove the home side back to score their second try meaning the half finished level at 12-12
Brecon had obviously had a talking to by coach McIntosh and came out all guns blazing and put great pressure on the Ammanford line. Mathew Lemon was unfortunate to get a yellow card for over celebration of a turn over. However, heroic defence by the 14 men of Ammanford was to prove vital. There were times when a try looked inevitable but some big heart kept the visitors at bay. Some poor handling allowed Ammanford to hack the ball up field and against the flow of play they were awarded a penalty which allowed Williams to unexpectedly put the home side into the lead 15-12.
The Brecon forwards dragged their team back into the game when again they drove over from a lineout. A fine conversion gave them a 15-19 lead. Both sides were working hard no more than the two Ammanford props Dylan Phillips and Rhodri Jones who played the whole 80 minutes who performed manly in both scrum and open play. From quick scrum ball on the halfway line Davies again slipped up the blind feeding wing Mike Rees who powered over the defender, the ball was moved rapidly into midfield and catching the defence out, before they could reform allowing centre Harrison Garland to go over. Williams converted and Ammanford were back in the lead. Both sides were trading punch for punch, the lead changing hands numerous times. It happened again when off an attacking scrum the big visiting pack managed to turn the scrum creating a big over lap down the narrow side and the try scored by their outside half ment the lead changed hands once again, 22-24.
Time was running out and Brecon were pressing and going for the jugular. The ball broke to Mike Rees whose big clearance kick saw Brecon scampering back but their efforts gave Ammanford a touchline penalty 25m out. Decision time, kick for the corner and hope driving lineout could win the day or go for the posts. Up stepped Williams and with a really cool, clear head went for the posts. The kick was straight and true and with that the referee blew the final whistle. What a finish!! 25-24.
Ammanford will now welcome St Joseph’s RFC in the quarter finals on the Rec on 18th of February.
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