Fixture

Thursday 16 April 2015

Maesteg Celtic 6  Brynaman  14

Bryn secured their first ever league victory at The Garth Welfare Park following this gutsy and determined display which was a credit to the whole squad. Having survived an early scare when a Craig Jones ankle tap saved a certain try; Bryn slowly but surely settled into the match. Any notion that the Greens were just out to make up the numbers was soon dispelled when a crunching tackle by Steffan Duggan on his opposite number, set the scene for what was a bruising encounter. With Celtic dominating the early territorial exchanges it was no surprise when they took an early 3-0 lead after an offside infringement. Bryn missed a similar chance to draw level when a relatively kickable penalty drifted left of the uprights. Undeterred Bryn outside half Craig Jones’ raking touch finder soon had the hosts backpedalling and having conceded a knock on at the lineout Bryn were awarded a five yard scrummage. With the Greens front row of Dewi Slyman, Richard Davies and Steff Weaver-Davies applying significant pressure the Celtic scrummage was on the rack and with two resets a penalty try looked a distinct possibility. At the third time of asking, evergreen Bryn number eight Clive Llewelyn took matters into his own hands and muscled over from close range for a well taken try at 5-3. As half time approached Celtic’s second successful penalty edged them back in front at 6-5.

Half Time: Maesteg Celtic 6  Brynaman  5

After the restart outside half Craig Jones finally got his kicking boots landing a superb penalty from almost half way as Bryn sneaked ahead at 8-6. A lung bursting kick and chase by full back Josh Ferriman gave the Greens renewed impetus and with Grant Milne, Joel Spurway and Sion Slyman leading the drives Bryn edged closer and closer to the Celtic try line. Bryn’s tactic of driving close to the rucks was now paying dividends where number eight Clive Llewelyn and outside half Craig Jones both went desperately close to crossing the whitewash as Bryn turned up the heat. With an injury to prop Steff Weaver-Davies, Bryn had to request passive scrums, and as a result this prompted the next decision to opt for the penalty goal rather than an attacking scrum. Craig Jones landed successfully for a lead of lead of 11-6 midway through the second half. A flurry of yellow cards then followed as Celtic and Bryn were reduced to 14 and 13 men respectively. However despite the absence of Josh Ferriman and Richard Davies, Bryn were now well on top and with centre Kieron Bennett and influential second row Chris Bartholomew very much to the fore, Bryn surged forward for the killer score. With replacement scrum half Lee Evans’ sniping runs creating uncertainty in the homesters defensive line it was no surprise when Bryn were awarded another penalty for off side at the ruck. Despite the early spring sunshine fading fast outside half Craig Jones made no mistake as Bryn pulled clear for a final scoreline of 14-6.

Full Time: Maesteg Celtic 6  Brynaman  14

Brynaman Scorers:

Try – Clive Llewelyn

Pen – Craig Jones (3)

Brynaman Team:

15 Josh Ferriman 14 Owain Sullivan 13 Steffan Duggan 12 Kieron Bennett 11 Dafydd Moses

10 Craig Jones 9 Dafydd Jones 1 Dewi Slyman 2 Richard Davies 3 Steff Weaver-Davies

4 Chris Bartholomew 5 Grant Milne 6 Joel Spurway 7 Sion Slyman (Capt) 8 Clive Llewelyn

Subs: Lee Evans, Rhodri Dennard, Trystan Lewis, Steffan Charles, Gareth H Williams