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Last Saturday at Garth Park was one of those days that will stay in the memory of Maesteg Celtic supporters forever. Damien Phillips, who has played around 400 games for the club, had decided to retire at the end of the game. All the players formed up and clapped him onto the Field of Dreams for the last time. Many a giant prop has faced reality when they packed down against the diminutive, mild mannered Master of the Dark Arts.

                Saturday’s opponents for the last game of the season were second in the league and WRU Bowl finalists Bonymaen. Having run in 7 tries in the game the previous week, they must have thought they were going to have a pleasant warm up for next week’s run out on the Millennium Stadium. They scored from the kick off when they caught Celtic napping with an impressive counter attack which resulted in a converted try.

Celtic were not fazed by this early setback and settled down to graft out a response. Celtic centre combination of Sam Mines and Harrison Evans were at their best defensively and the back three of Geraint Roberts, Kristian Jenkins and Neil Arthur adjusted quickly to the visitors six man attack. Outside half Matthew Harris had his kicking boots on and put the visitors on the back foot at will. Veteran scrum half Liam Healy was playing like a teenager. His sniping runs and fearless defence were awesome.

                It was the Celtic pack that must be praised for their performance all season and Saturday was one of their best. The front row of Sean Lambert, Morgan Reeves and Damien Phillips took control early on, while jumpers Alex Jones and Captain Oliver Petty commanded the lineout. The back row of Bleddyn Griffiths, Peter Kehoe and Jonathan Davies were superb with 29 tackles and 18 line breaks between them.

                Celtic’s first try came when Matthew Harris kicked a penalty into the visitors 22. Alex Jones won the lineout and was driven to the line. Bonymaen were penalised for collapsing the drive and Harris kicked to the corner. Once again Jones won the ball and was driven over the line for Petty to touch down.

                Celtic’s second try was similar. Harris kicked to the corner and the forwards pounded the visitor’s line. The referee awarded a number of penalties before yellow carding a defender. Celtic took advantage of the extra forward and number 8 Peter Kehoe broke clear and put winger Neil Arthur over in the corner. Harris converted.

Bonymaen evened the score early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty deep in their 22. Celtic turned their backs and the visitors ran a tap penalty the length of the field to score.

Celtic put the game safe late in the game when full back Kristian Jenkins ran at the defence on half way, drew two defenders, before putting wing Geraint Roberts clear. Roberts sprinted free and sidestepped the cover defence to touch down under the posts for a 21-14 win for Celtic. They must now wait for the result of Waunarlwydd’s  visit to Glynneath next Saturday.