Fixture

Maesteg Celtic RFC | 1st Team 17 - 13 Pwllheli RFC | 1st Team
Matthew Harris
Conversion 2
Penalty 1
Kieran Power
Try 1
Jonathan Davies
Try 1
Danial Williams
1 Try
Osian Jones
1 Conversion
2 Penalty

Match Report
09 January 2018 / Team News

Maesteg Celtic RFC 17 Pwllheli RFC 13

 
This was always going to be a tough fixture but getting to Maesteg's ground proved to be  a difficulty in itself. The main route was closed - following a landslide - and the budding Marco Polo's on the bus and their Sat Navs did not allow that some country lanes are not suited for large buses!!
The pitch at Maesteg was muddied, wet and heavy but this was the same for both sides. The rain kept off but it was close to freezing throughout the game.
Maesteg kicked off with a blustery breeze at their backs.Despite the chaotic pre- match events Pwllheli started the stronger.  They  were rewarded with penalty after only two minutes which centre Osian Parry Jones duly slotted. He added another on eight minutes to give the visitors a six point lead.As expected Celtic countered and were awarded a penalty on fourteen minutes which full back Mathew Harris duly converted. Play was frenetic as the teams strove for ascendancy which neither side achieved. The half seemed destined to have no further scoring but on forty one minutes and in what was  literally the last move in open play Celtic made ground on the left and squeezed in at the corner to score a well taken try by flanker Jonathan Davies.. An excellent wide angled conversion by fullback Mathew Harris saw half time  arrive with the hosts leading by ten points to six.
The second period saw both sides being restricted by the conditions.Attempts were made to move the ball wide but handling errors dominated the game. Pwllheli  turned down several potential kicks at goal as they worked hard to cut the deficit. However defences were to the fore. Fly half Parry kicked deftly to give Pwllheli territory. They were camped in the Maesteg twenty two and a series of scrums  went their way despite the substantial weight advantage of the host pack. Pwllheli's try when it came on twenty eight minutes  was as a result of an improbable  driving maul and more surprisingly the touch down came from the smallest player on the field  - full back Danial Williams. Parry Jones' conversion gave his side a three point lead and as full time drew ever nearer Pwllheli's hopes were raised.
Maesteg Celtic were not done  and they pressed strongly using their jumbo pack as a blunt but effective instrument. Forty minutes went and the home side opted for a series of set scrums instead of going for goal. Their pressure told on the lighter Pwllheli pack and on forty two minutes referee awarded a  crucial penalty try The home XV defended stoutly for three minutes before the final whistle went much to the home team and their ecstatic supporters.
To lose to a penalty try three minutes before the final whistle hurt but there can be no complaints as the refereeing by Carwyn Williams was fair and consistent throughout.
Pwllheli's much changed  young team did themselves and the Club proud. It was literally the sheer weight of the opposition  which did for us in the end.
Our journey in the Welsh Plate has come to an abrupt end but the Club wish to thank the supporters who made the long journey south to support their team.
The first XV are back in league action on Saturday as they host Colwyn Bay at Bodegroes. Kick off as always is at 2.30.
The seconds play Menai Bridge at home while our Youths are away to Wrexham.
Players Fixture player info not published.
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