Fixture

Brynaman  21  Maesteg 34

For their first home league fixture of the season Bryn welcomed Maesteg RFC. This was the Old Parish’s first visit to Brynaman and indeed probably the first ever fixture between the two sides. Determined to make amends for the defeat last Saturday at Pencoed Bryn started in determined fashion. Two penalties by scrum half Dafydd Jones gave the Greens a well-deserved lead at 6-0 before the visitors hit back with a slick counter attack which led to their first try at 5-6. Bryn once again responded positively and a good forward drive pushed the visitors back deep into their own 22. Another penalty goal by Dafydd Jones edged Bryn further ahead at 9-5 in what was clearly becoming an increasingly tough encounter. An impact injury to second row Daniel Page meant Bryn were forced to reshuffle the pack but as half time approached Bryn slowly began to settle down.

Minutes into the second half with Bryn looking certain to score, somehow or other they lost possession. Seizing the opportunity Maesteg once again punished the Greens ruthlessly and ran home their second try from fully 75 yards to lead 10-9. 

Shortly after the restart a superb 50 yard run from Bryn No8 Gethin Bugler looked to have set the Greens up for their first try but a knock on at the last minute denied what would have been a well-deserved score.

This was shortly to prove very costly for Bryn as the visitors upped the tempo and raced through for another try after some disorganised defending in open play. Trailing 17-9 Bryn still looked capable of bouncing back, but a further penalty for offside nudged the Old Parish further ahead at 20-9.

Another try for the visitors then effectively sealed the contest as Bryn were once again guilty of losing the ball in contact. A successful conversion followed as Maesteg increased the lead to 27-9.

With the home support now visibly subdued Bryn at last conjured a move to raise the spirits. Outside half Craig Jones initiated proceedings with a superbly directed miss-pass to centre Steff Duggan. Another brilliantly timed offload followed before wing Josh Ferriman raced over the whitewash for an irresistible score.

Dafydd Jones’s touchline conversion then hauled Bryn back to 16-27. However with Bryn now down to fourteen men, Maesteg took full advantage and soon crossed for their fourth and final try to lead 34-16. Refusing to give up Bryn were determined to have the final word and when second row Chris Bartholomew used his height advantage and college basketball skills to gather a perfectly weighted cross kick, another neat off load allowed centre Duggan to race clear of the cover defence for a fine try. Final Score - Brynaman 21 Maesteg 34