WEST CENTRAL
MAESTEG CELTIC ...... 24 YSTRADGYNLAIS ...... 15
MAESTEG Celtic put on their best performance of the season when they gained a bonus-point win over second-placed Ystradgynlais at a sunny Garth Park.
The Celtic pack were in command from the start with their front row of Sean Lambert, Ashley Poole and Daniel Miller dominating their opposite numbers. Second rows Alex Jones and Robert Golden won excellent lineout ball and carried the ball well in the loose. Celtic backs created an impenetrable wall which stopped the quick Ystradgynlais threequarters in their tracks. Centre Lee Arthur tackled ferociously all game while the back three of Scott Wilkins, Kyle Buckley and Ben Poole ran every kick straight back with interest.
Celtic’s first try came when flanker Garin Bowen broke the defensive line and ran the ball into the 22.
The Celtic pack won quick ball which scrum half Morgan Lloyd gave to the threequarters. Slick passing put Ben Poole over in the corner.
The second try was as a result of the Celtic pack driving their opponents back and from the disarray flanker Jonathan Davies picked up the ball and sprinted to the line.
Straight from the restart Celtic took the ball back into Ystradgynlais territory.
Once again Celtic drove the scrum forward until it broke up.
No 8 Oliver Petty picked up the ball and ran through the defence to score in the corner. Kristian Jenkins converted.
Celtic’s final try also came from a driven scrum near halfway. The ball was passed to outside half Lloyd Jenkins who put Kristian Jenkins through a gap and he ran 50 metres to score.
Kristian converted his own try.
Ystradgynlais did not give up and after two Celtic players were sin binned, they scored two tries.