Fun in the sun for champions Gilfach Local rugby
THERE will be a party atmosphere at Bridgend Road on Saturday as Maesteg Celtic celebrate their Two West Central title triumph.
The Celts were crowned champions at the weekend, without even playing, after nearest challengers Brynamman’s failure to collect maximum points from their trip to Morriston.
It means the leaders cannot now be caught, with Brynamman 16 points behind with three fixtures left.
Celtic have one game left, which is at home against Cwmavon this weekend, when they will be presented with the trophy.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said proud club treasurer and long-time chairman Ian Davies.
“We’ve had a couple of good seasons where we’ve been pretty close, but it’s all come to fruition this year.
“Our coaching staff and the players have been so committed, very focused and we’ve finally got what we deserve.”
The side set their stall out early, winning their first six league matches from the start of the campaign.
They have won 18 of their 21 matches, including a perfect 10 on home soil, while a victory over Cwmavon on Saturday will see them end the campaign with a 100 per cent winning home league record.
Celtic have been defeated just three times in the league this season, all on the road, at Cwmgors, Nantyffyllon and Brynamman respectively.
Their only other defeat was at home against One East side and eventual semi-finalists Nelson in round four of the WRU National Plate – having seen off higher-division trio Ammanford, Llanelli Wanderers and Pwlhelli in the earlier rounds.
Davies continued: “It has been a gradual buildup really.
“We started very well and also had that great cup run that saw us beat three sides from Division One; it’s been a general progression.
“The pleasing thing about it as well is that we’ve played some really good attacking rugby, so that’s been great.
“If there was one game to pick out then it would probably be Ystragynlais away [20-5 win on November 18].
“They are coached by Vernon Cooper and are always a tough team to beat up there.
“We managed to get a really good win there and I think that was the spark and made us realise we were looking good this season.”
The Celts will now soak up their title success before switching their focus towards next season in One West Central.
Davies added: “It’s great that we’ll be going up a league, but it also give us an opportunity to play some more local derbies as well.
“From our point of view, it draws in the crowds so it’s good news all round.
“Maesteg will be in the same division and Maesteg Quins could be if they don’t get promoted and, if that’s the case, then it’ll be a really exciting year for everybody in Maesteg.” GILFACH Goch are in dreamland after clinching the Two East Central title in the glorious sunshine at The Welfare Park.
It was the perfect setting for a title celebration as the club saw off St Peter’s 38-3 to spark jubilant scenes with the whole community.
And ecstatic club secretary Darren Hughes felt everything came together to create a perfect weekend.
“Where you normally leave the ground in about half an hour, we were still there two hours later with the community taking pictures,” he said. “It was like a carnival. “Back in 2009/10, when we won Division Two to go back into Division One we were away and, comparing the two of them, having the home fixture is worlds apart.
“It’s not just on the field, but off the field as well.
“Winning just brings people out and the clubhouse has been full all weekend.
“[The weather] is what made Saturday, you couldn’t write it. People came out in droves.”
Hughes admitted the club had targeted promotion, but an injury crisis left their hopes hanging by a thread.
“It’s something we planned because a few years ago. Our youth team got to the final of the WRU Youth Cup and those boys have come through the system over the last three years.
“So, we’ve progressed with a young side, they are still about 21, 22, but over the years at senior level they have matured.
“We’ve got a few old heads, so it’s a nice blend, but it hasn’t been an easy journey because we lost a complete front row midway through the season.
“We had two nasty injuries – Ricky Priday had to have a knee operation and Matthew Parker broke his ankle – and the other had a back problem.
“These days, in grassroots rugby, that the one position – prop – that most clubs struggle with and we really thought we were going to struggle.”
But the club managed to steady the ship and, with seven games to go, Hughes felt the title was in sight.
“In the last seven games, the two before the final five were both away,” he continued.
“We won both of them with a bonus point.
“We then thought it’s in our hands now with five games at home.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult task, but once we won those two away games we knew that we could go for it.”
Gilfach Goch won all five home fixtures to claim the title, but their season is not over yet with the Mid District Bowl final against Cambrian Welfare on Friday night at Pontypridd’s Sardis Road.
“There’s no better opposition because the last game against Cambrian we lost, so I think our boys will relish the challenge.
“And it’s at Sardis Road and that’s where we lost to them.”
The club will want to enter Division One as double winners and Hughes is adamant Gilfach Goch will give a good account of themselves in a higher division.
“It is a faster-paced game, but looking at how we’ve played this season with the youngsters we’ve got, that won’t faze us,” he said.
“We’ve got James Lock from Bargoed and Callum Thomas, who has played for Pontypridd and Bridgend, coming next season and we’re in the process of talking to other boys too.
“So, we’ll gain a few, maybe lose one or two, but we’ll still be a squad that compete in the league.”