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Maesteg Celtic faced division one side Aberavon Quins in the first round of the WRU Bowl competition at Garth Park last Saturday. It was a lovely afternoon, perfect for open rugby and both teams did not disappoint. Coach Kieran Power made six changes from the side that won last week. Prop Ryan Shearan, second row Nathan Jenkins, flanker Rhys Bevan Jones and outside half Harrison Evans started of the first time while Lee Arthur returned to the centre with Lewis Jenkins, Centre Kristian Jenkins moved out to the wing.

Quins kicked off and immediately put the home side under pressure. Celtics defence held firm and eventually turned the ball over. Outside half Harri Evans kicked deep into the visitors half where the Celtic pack showed their strength. Man of the Match Ryan Turner jackled a defender in front of the posts and won a penalty which Harri Evans kicked. Quins responded from the restart when their centre counter attacked and spun out of a tackle to break the Celtic defensive line and put his team over for a converted touchdown.

Celtic regained the lead when their front five of Sean Lambert, Ashley Poole, Ryan Shearan, Alex Jones and Nathan Jenkins drove their opponents backwards at pace. Quins collapsed the maul and Evans kicked the penalty to the corner. Alex Jones jumped high above everyone and the pack drove him over the line for hooker Ashley Poole to touch down. Evans converted. They went further ahead when Captain Oliver Petty crashed over from a period of intense pressure. Evans converted. The final score of the half came when Ryan Turner once again won a penalty at the tackle and the kick to the corner resulted in Rhys Bevan Jones winning clean ball for the pack to drive forward. Nathan Jenkins touched down but the referee was unsighted and awarded a penalty try for the defenders collapsing the drive.

Several changes were made in the second half which resulted in centre Lee Arthur going to flanker and Morgan Harris replacing him. Both half backs were replaced by Leon Evans and Matthew Harris. The lighter Celtic pack had difficulty holding their opponents. Number 8 Petty put them further ahead when he picked up the ball from a retreating scrum and beat several defenders before touching down. Evans converted. Quins did not give up and a break by their centre allowed them to score in the corner.

Morgan Harris cut through the defence and made ground before linking up with the forwards. Petty put wing, Ryan Lovatt, clear to run in the fifth try. Evans converted from the touch line. Quins fought back and scored two tries in the last five minutes of the game to make the score 38-24.