Maesteg Celtic welcomed local rivals Tondu to Garth Park for a West Central Division One fixture. Conditions were not good as a result of the heavy rain experienced during the previous week, but with two games already postponed during November, Coach Kieran Power and his crew worked hard to make the pitch playable.
The first half was a torrid affair with both defences not giving a yard to their opponents. Celtic front row, Ryan Shearan, Morgan Reeves and Mathew Phillips were solid in the scrums and powerful in the rucks. Second rows Robert Golden and Alex Jones did well against tall opponents in the line-outs and carried the ball well in the loose. The back row of flankers Lee Arthur, Nathan Adams and number eight and Captain Oliver Petty were immense in defence. Petty carried the ball from the back of the scrum with strength and determination.
Celtic half backs Cameron Jones and Harrison Evans linked well and moved the ball wide whenever possible. Centres Kristian Jenkins and Matthew Harris defended stoically and took the ball at their opposite numbers bravely. The back three of Ryan Lovatt, Geraint Roberts and James Dixon took every opportunity to counter attack in the difficult conditions.
Tondu opened the scoring when their outside half, Mathew Murphy, kicked an amazing penalty from the half way line. Celtic responded with repeated attacks inside the visitors 22 before being rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts when an opponent killed the ball. Harri Evans kicked the penalty. At the end of the half Tondu camped in the Celtic 22 but were unable to break the defence. Celtic cleared their line but a charge down kick took them back and they conceded a penalty on half time.
Celtic pack began to get on top in the second half as a result of some fine turnovers by prop Ryan Shearan and flanker Lee Arthur, one of which allowed centre Matthew Harris to kick an equalising penalty. Celtic continued to attack with energy but the Tondu defence remained steadfast. Two further penalties by Harris took Celtic ahead and although Tondu tried hard they were unable to close the gap. So Celtics home record for the season remains intact. Celtic Man of the Match was Ryan Shearan.
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