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5 TRY BONUS WIN AT HOME AGAINST MAESTEG CELTIC

It was a perfect evening yesterday for Penlan to welcome Maesteg Celtic to Mynydd Newydd for their re-arranged game.  The sky was cloudless though and Celtic chose to play into the strong sun as they kicked off the first half, under the competent management of referee Mr. Andrew Moule from Port Talbot.

At their previous encounter at Maesteg in late October, Penlan had won the day by 15 to 39 and landed 5 tries to Celtic’s 2 and Penlan were out to also win the return game.  From the start Penlan were putting on the pressure and at 10 minutes had a second scrum on the visitor’s 5 metre line.  The strength of their pack eventually pushed the Celtic defence back over their line until hooker, Dean Davies, landed a try near the corner flag.  Full-back Scott Davies safely made the conversion for an early 7 – 0 Penlan lead.

Dean Davies was to secure a second try just 7 minutes later following a Penlan lineout on the visitor’s 5 metre.  Penlan secured the ball and pushed Maesteg back until some quick passing got the ball out to Dean near the touchline.  A determined dive over the line won try number two for Penlan at the corner and advanced the score to 12 – 0.

Maesteg Celtic settled down and, for a time, the action switched into Penlan territory.  The pressure was now on Penlan as the fast visitor’s game kept them on their toes.  Then, at 25 minutes a fine long kick and chase by Maesteg led to their sprint through the Penlan defence to score a try near the corner for 12 – 5.

It was a warning to Penlan that Maesteg were than capable of turning their lead and they neede to step up their determined play to make headway.  Shortly before the half time, the action was back in visitor territory and Penlan secured a lineout within the 22.  The ball was won and some quick passing into the centre got the ball to flanker and Penlan Captain Robert Green.  Like a rampaging Rhino, Robert was unstoppable as he charged through any defence to cross the goal-line for Penlan’s third try.  Scott Davies secured the conversion with ease to extend the Penlan lead to 19 – 5 at half-time.

Despite the lead, Maesteg always looked dangerous and during the break Coach Lee Banfield make it clear that his Penlan side would need to beef up their game if they were going to win the day.  In the second half it was now Penlan who were playing into the sun which was now lower in the sky.  In the early stage they were showing their dominance with Robert “Rhino” Green leading by example again.

At just after 10 minutes Penlan had another lineout in Maesteg’s mid 22 and set up a push for the line.  The Celtic defence were pushed clear back over their line until Robert Green powered over again near the corner, leaving the visitors no chance of stopping him, and earning a 4 try bonus point.  As top try scorer, his second try of the night was his thirteenth of the season and was certainly unlucky for Maesteg as the deficit extend to 24 – 5.

Celtic continued to prove dangerous though and never let their heads fall.  Just 5 minutes later they had turned the tables and were constantly putting the Penlan defence under pressure on their line.  Penlan repeatedly repelled their assaults until the Maesteg pressure proved just too strong and they finally breached the line to score an important second try.  A successful conversion narrowed the Penlan lead to 24 – 12 which, given the strong Maesteg game, was still too close for Penlan to look comfortable.

For the rest of the game Celtic worked hard to claw points back while Penlan attempted to safely secure the game.  With time running out, Penlan were clearly back in the driving seat as they turned the screws.  In the dying minutes their work paid off after the determined Penlan team game led to Jamie Davies on the wing securing possession.  Jamie’s fine pace left defenders standing as he sprinted down the wing to score Penlan’s fifth try of the game.  Despite the angle and the sun, Scott Davies made his third good conversion kick of the game to seal Penlan’s win by 31 to 12.

In the end the score was similar to their previous encounter and earned Penlan an important 5 points to move them up into third table place with 67 points, three ahead of Cwmllynfell who have 2 games in hand though.  The final games of the season are going to prove interesting as the leading teams have all to play for.  Penlan’s game against Ystradgynlais on Saturday will be particularly interesting.  Although Penlan beat them by 20 – 7 at home, things have moved on and the return game on their territory will need a big effort.

Brynamman have bounced back after their defeat against by Penlan last Saturday and last evening swamped Cwmavon at home by 45 to 0, landing 7 tries in the process.

Pictures of the action from Colin Rush have been posted on our website gallery and those from Mike Evans will be posted on his website www.mike322.com.