CENTRAL

MAESTEG .................... 10 BRIDGEND ATHLETIC 17

THIS was a very close game from start to finish, with the overall consensus being that a draw would have broken no hearts, been a fair result, and a just reward for the efforts of both teams.

With two former Maesteg players in the team and two on the bench it was somewhat familiar territory for the visitors and has fortune would have it both the Athletic tries were scored by the two starters.

The first quarter was a well contested affair but with nothing to show for it until on the half hour home fly half Tadgh McGuckin made a break and from an offence at the breakdown he slotted the first points of the game.

The visitors came back with some pick and drives which seemed to be well covered but a pop pass created a huge defensive gap and wing forward Sam Treharne finished off the move for Luke Bevan to convert.

A narrow lead for the Athletic then became a narrow lead for Maesteg as a chip over the top 80 metres out by Tadgh McGuckin was caught by right wing flier Callum Powell who outpaced most of the defence before cutting in at the last line for the try of the match with McGuckin adding the extra points.

The second period was as intensive as they come with both sets of forwards taking it in turns to attack and counter attack in the close quarter battle.

There were also some threequarter moves as the backs vied for a share of the ball, but with most of the game being played between the 22s, it was more than exciting, but end to end it was not. In fact it was on the half hour when the Athletic drew level when Maesteg were adjudged to have not released the tackled player immediately and Luke Bevan popped over a 30 metre penalty. With the stalemate looking as if it was going to play out to the finish disaster struck when Maesteg drove onto the visitors 10 metre line. Somehow the referee got in the way of scrum half Jack Robbins, delaying his first pass out, his second attempt found Tadgh McGuckin but the kick was charged down and ended with the visitors captain Ben Howe, a former Old Parish award winning player, going over at the corner flag for Luke Bevan to add the points, giving his team the win, with Maesteg having to settle for a losing bonus point.

THIS Phase 2 National League 1 match proved to be an 11-try thriller at the Rec.

Nat O’Shea opened the scoring for Phoenix after 10 minutes, storming away from around halfway to score, Leanne Burnell adding the extras.

The visitors response was immediate, Lucy Edwards getting the first of what was to be an impressive try hat-trick. Phoenix loose head prop Lucy