News

Maesteg Celtic 2^nd XV visited West Central division 3B Glyncorrwg for a friendly fixture. The playing surface was excellent but there was a strong severely cold wind blowing across field. The game was exciting to watch with both teams using the ball effectively at every opportunity. The bigger home forwards  powered at the Celtic defence but were met with staunch resistance by the Celtic front five of Tom Evans, Morgan Reeves, Keith Stone, Nathan Jenkins, Anthony Gibbons and Rhys Bevan Jones.

Celtics first foray into the home 22 resulted in a try for prop Tom Evans. Glyncorrwg responded immediately and repeatedly attacked the Celtic line. Quick ball allowed them to move it wide for their wing to touch down. Celtic went ahead once more when outside half Rhodri Thomas kicked deep into the home 22 and great following up by the Celtic three quarters of Gareth Blackwell, Gavin Joseph, Neil Arthur and Nathan Edwards forced the defence to concede a scrum. The Glyncorrwg pack disrupted the attack but number 8 Rhys Bevan Jones recovered well allowing scrum half Ryan Phillips to find Alun Blackwell arriving at pace to touch down. Glyncorrwg took control of the remainder of the half and through intense forward dominance they scored 2 tries before the half time whistle.

Celtic made a number of changes early in the second half. They brought on Jay Whelan, Ashley Poole and Oliver Petty in the pack which allowed them to gain some control over the tiring home forwards. A period of repeated attacks inside the home 22 resulted in the referee awarding a penalty try to the Celtic which allowed them to take a winning lead 21-19. Forward Mark Wilkins was voted Man of the Match.