Maesteg ready for the challenge of new season as legends return

RUGBY

ON the third anniversary of the fire that devastated the Maesteg club house, the Old Parish Ground club will rise like a phoenix from the ashes on Saturday.

The club will play their first pre-season friendly against Neath in front of a host of household names in Welsh Rugby.

The guests include: WRU president Dennis Gethin, chairman Gareth Davies and District representatives Chris Morgan and Alan Jones along with Town Mayor Jennifer Terry.

Past players include Gwyn Evans, Ray “Chico” Hopkins, Peter Francis, Allan Bateman, John Devereux, Kevin Ellis, Colin Donovan and Leighton O’Connor.

Past and present captains Grant Epton, Scott Davies, Gareth Edawrds, Paul Clapham, Karl Hocking and Richard Morgan will attend.

Glamorgan County RFC chairman Howard Jones will be there along with Maesteg Celtic chairman Ian Davies, sponsor Brian Thomas (Ferriers) and builders Glyn Lee, John Brown and Roger Moore.

MP for Ogmore Chris Elmore had a prior engagement but the club is hoping former MP and current AM and club patron Huw Irranca Davies will be there.

Claire Lucas (membership secretary) will be at the club 7.15pm to 8.15pm on Thursday as paid-up season ticket holders before Saturday gain admittance as part of their membership and that also applies to the Pontypool game.

The Maesteg squad hasn’t lost a player from last season and has been reinforced by the signings of Scott James, Liam Healey, Kieran Harris, Corey Harris, Rhys Costain and Scott Hicks.