1st XV Match Report
The 1st XV took on Brecon on Saturday at Parc de Pugh.
Bargoed had the wind with them in the first half but they conceded a series of early penalties.
However when they attacked with ball in hand they looked dangerous. Bargoed turned the call over and good transition into attack saw Dylan Williams scythe through the hosts defence to score an excellent try. Josh Prosser converted to make it 7-0 with nine minutes gone.
Bargoed followed that up with an attack down the right and then they moved the ball wide to the left wing for Ashley Norton to score in the corner.
Prosser again converted and Bargoed led 14-0 after twelve minutes.
Bargoed continued to apply pressure on Brecon and were varying the game well. This paid off with Bargoed being awarded a penalty try as Brecon offended against Bargoed’s dominant scrum.
Bargoed now led 21-0 with fifteen minutes to half time.
There were a couple of yellow cards issued to both sides as Brecon looked to get a score before half time. Bargoed were up to the task in defence.
Bargoed scored early in the second half getting the bonus point try after good work from Dylan Williams put James Leadbeater over for a try to increase Bargoed’s lead.
There were changes made on both sides and opportunities were created by both as the game swung back in Brecon’s favour with a converted try after fifty five minutes, as they looked to use the wind and close the gap.
Brecon scored again a few minutes later with a converted try and it was now Bargoed 28 Brecon 14.
Brecon continued to probe for another score but a combination of good defence and hard work from Bargoed repelled any attacks.
Bargoed got the fifth try after good work by Toby Thomas and Josh Prosser put Ashley Norton over for his second try.
The final score was Bargoed 33 Brecon 14.
Bargoed will be pleased with the result through a good performance, as they look to have a strong finish to the season.
Warriors Match Report
The Warriors faced Brecon Athletic on the following day in the Division 5 Cup Final at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Brecon took an early lead with a converted try and kicked a penalty to lead 8-0.
Bargoed slowly got into their rhythm and applied serious pressure on Brecon.
Bargoed’s lack of accuracy cost them though as they were held up over the line and on another occasion they knocked the ball on close to the line.
There were a couple of incidents where Bargoed were unfortunate with Luke Ellaway being penalised for no release as he went for the line.
Bargoed were also hard done by that they were not awarded a try with Aaron Elliot grounding the ball but the match officials were unsighted.
Bargoed received a yellow card on the stroke of half time and Brecon led 8-0 in a tight encounter with everything to play for.
The second half saw Luke Ellaway make an early line break. He was hauled down yards from the line but Bargoed failed to capitalise on this, and Brecon managed to clear their lines.
Brecon then had a period of pressure and used their scrum to good advantage and after a couple of phases they scored in the corner to increase the lead to 13-0.
Brecon scored again shortly after in the other corner as Bargoed were on the back foot after fifty two minutes.
Bargoed were struggling to get a foot hold in the Brecon half as Brecon cleared with some effective kicking.
Brecon scored again where some poor defence resulted in Brecon scoring a fourth try after fifty six minutes.
Bargoed were working hard to get some territory and a great kick from Charlie Williams with a 50-22 gave them an opportunity.
Excellent approach work from Harvey Jones saw Leon James crash over for a try from short range after sixty two minutes.
This cut the gap and gave Bargoed some hope with time on the clock. However an error resulted in a Brecon scrum and they attacked down the short side and scored their fifth try, which was converted to increase Brecon’s lead to 30-5 after sixty six minutes.
Bargoed went back on the attack with Charlie Williams giving them a great opportunity with another 50-22 kick.
Bargoed attacked going wide but an error saw the ball go loose and Brecon kicked ahead and got another try which was converted to make it 39 – 5 with eleven minutes left.
Bargoed had an opportunity to close the gap with another excellent kick from Charlie Williams going deep into the Brecon 22, but they didn’t convert this into points.
Brecon worked their way up the field and when Bargoed were penalised they kicked to the corner and after some close range efforts they scored to make it 42-5.
Bargoed showed real character and got themselves into the Brecon 22 and went close to scoring a couple of times but then decided to go wide and cruelly the ball was intercepted and Brecon went the length of the field with a converted try.
The final score was 49-5 to Brecon. Bargoed will be disappointed that they didn’t convert a lot of pressure into points, and this young side will
learn from this experience. The score certainly didn’t reflect the game but Brecon were deserving winners with another four games excellent second half performance.
The Warriors will be proud of the effort as they worked hard all game, but they know that if they had been more clinical the game was definitely in the balance between two quality sides.
The Warriors will lick their wounds and focus their efforts on winning the league with another four games to be played in the next two weeks.
The Warriors are back in action at home against Trinant on Wednesday evening at Bargoed Park, and they then face Bettws away on Saturday in the league.
The 1st XV travel to play Newbridge on Saturday and the Youth face Caldicot in a Dragons Cup semi-final