Maesteg frustrated to be denied the win
WORCESTER WANDERERS ................................26 MAESTEG .....................26
MAESTEG were denied victory at Droitwich Rugby Club by a late pushover try.
It was a useful workout with no scoring action until the 27th minute when Scott Hicks took a quick tap penalty on the home 22.
A ruck formed and scrum half Liam Healey nipped through a gap. He was tackled short of the line but was able to pop a pass to winger Scott James to score wide out and outside half Keiron Harris converted.
The Wanderers hit back with a spell of intense pressure bringing a try which was converted.
Maesteg came back right on half time when Healey took a quick penalty but was immediately tackled. The culprit was yellow carded and Maesteg opted for as scrum and Hicks got a pushover try converted by Harris for a 14-7 lead at the break.
Maesteg rang the changes at half time and soon after, player/coach Karl Hocking was yellow carded for arguing with the referee.
Worcester made them pay with a training ground lineout moved which brought a converted try to level the scores.
On the hour, Maesteg moved the ball from a lineout and full back Jon Phillips came into the line and crossed for a try wide out.
10 minutes from time, Maesteg were attacking strongly inside the home 22 but a turnover caught them out of position and Worcester went the length of the field to score a converted try to take a 21-19 lead.
Straight from the restart, Maesteg attacked and centre Sam Griffiths cut through to lay on a simple try for Phillips and outside half Laurance Howley converted.
Just before the final whistle, Worcester powered over for a pushover try which was not converted so the match finished with honours even.
Maesteg entertain Pontypool at the Old Parish Ground on Saturday in another pre-season friendly.