Fixture

Maesteg Celtic travelled to Newbridge Fields to take on a strong Bridgend Sports team. The first half was played in the middle third of the pitch with neither side dominating. Sports had a lot of possession and ran the ball constantly but could not break through the Celtic defence. Centres Sam Mines and Lee Arthur closed down every charge by their opposite numbers while wings Kristian Jenkins and Aaron Williams prevented them going wide. Full back Scot James ran the ball back with pace and made a number of breaks from deep.

Sports created two try scoring opportunities but a great tackle by Aaron Williams stopped the first and poor decision making lost the second chance. Celtic forwards began to take the upper hand and intense pressure in the home 22 earned them a penalty which Kristian Jenkins kicked.

The second half saw Celtic front five of Man of the Match Sean Lambert,+ Morgan Reeves, Simon Lent, Alex Jones and Kieran Power stop the home forwards in their tracks and take the ball back at them relentlessly. The back row were quick to the breakdown and won great ball. Nineteen year old Tom Mines was incredible as usual while veteran Ryan Turner was tireless in attack and defence. Returning Captain and number eight Oliver Petty played at the high standard we are used to.

Celtics first try came when scrum half Liam Healey picked the ball from the back of a scrum and went on one of his sniping runs. He drew the defence before passing to hooker Morgan Reeves who gave it to Lee Arthur. Arthur threw a long pass to unmarked Aaron Williams who touched down in the corner. Kristian Jenkins converted from the touch line.

The visitor’s second try came when the back row forced a line out in the home 22. Second row Kieran Power won quick ball which scrum half Liam Healy gave to outside half Morgan Lloyd. Blind side wing Kristian Jenkins arrived at pace and ran through the defence before drawing the full back and putting centre Sam Mines over near the posts. Jenkins converted.

Celtic are now 2^nd in the league and face Pencoed at home next week.