Fixture

Maesteg Celtic 22 v 8 Resolven

Maesteg Celtic took revenge on Resolven when the teams met for the home leg of their West Central Division Two encounter on a wet and misty day. As expected, it was a hard fought contest between two determined opponents. Celtic began well with their front five of Mathew Phillips, Morgan Reeves, Mark Wilkins, Alex Jones and Rhys Bevan Jones driving their opponents back at every opportunity.

Early on Resolven won turnover ball in their 22 and ran it wide, only to drop it, out wide. Celtic wing Neil Arthur was quick on the loose ball and gathered it to run in for a try. Outside half Tom George converted.

Resolven controlled possession well and spread the ball wide at every opportunity. Celtic centres Sam Mines and Kristian Jenkins together with the back three of Aaron Williams, Neil Arthur and full back Morgan Lloyd held firm and play was mainly in mid field. Resolven did manage to close the gap with an excellent penalty. Celtic half backs Leon Evans and Tom George distributed the ball well under difficult conditions.

Just before half time Celtic were awarded a penalty which Tom George kicked to the corner. Hooker Morgan Reeves found jumper Alex Jones who was driven over the try line for Reeves to touch down. George converted.

The visitors took advantage of Celtic errors in the second half and scored a try out wide. Tom George increased Celtics lead with a penalty. Late in the game Celtic pounded the visitors defence with great carries by back rowers Jonathan Davies and Ryan Turner but to no avail. One great run by Peter Kehoe was stopped just short and cleverly turned over by the defence. The cross field clearance kick went straight to Celtic wing Aaron Williams who sprinted past the defence to score in the corner.

In the dying minutes of the game, Celtic tried vainly to get the bonus point try but wily defence by the visitors and over enthusiasm by the home team resulted in no further scores. Celtic’s Man of the Match was Morgan Lloyd who was impressive at full back in attack and defence.