Kenfig Hill RFC, League

Maesteg Celtic played Kenfig Hill in their first encounter since the
demise of the Wistech Central Glamorgan District League. Celtic once again made a number of changes to their starting line up from the previous weeks cup match against Alltwen RFC. In came Rhodri Bwye to prop, Leon Evans at scrum half. Peter Kehoe at flanker, Chris Everett at second row, after playing for Maesteg on permit against Carmarthen Quins and Ieuan Morris moving from centre to wing to
accommodate Swansea centre Adrian Thomas playing as a duelled registered player with Celtic and Lee Bumford playing on permit from Nantyfyllon.

For about the first fifteen minutes Celtic had it all to do in holding out a Kenfig Hill side intent in running the ball at every opportunity and it was during this period that Celtic went behind to a fine individual effort from outside half N Giles. He received the ball just inside the Celtic 22mtr line and chipped the ball behind the Celtic defence to score under the posts, unfortunately he missed what was to be a crucial conversion. 0-5

This score only spurred the Celtic side on and as a result excellent work between the backs and forwards saw flanker Peter Kehoe go over for a try and Lee Bumford kicking the conversion. 7-5

Celtic were now totally on top winning good lineout ball through Chris Everett, Keiron Power and Matthew Bater through once again the accurate throwing in of hooker Ashley Poole. Also at the scrums where
the front row of Damion Philips,Ashley Poole and Rhodri Bwye having a slight edge on their opposite numbers. Kenfig Hill were also having trouble in containing the strong running of centres Adrian Thomas and Rhys Garfield with good distribution of the ball coming from the sniping scrum half Leon Evans and outside half Lee Bumford. With Celtic putting all the pressure on, it seemed obvious that that a further score would come and this came by the way of a try from centre Rhys Garfield. After a side stepping run from co centre Adrian Thomas, he passed the ball to Rhys who fended off two would be tacklers to
score, with the conversion coming from Lee Bumford. 14-5 HT

Celtic continued the second half as they finished it and Celtic were unlucky not to score after scrum half Leon Evans made one of his sniping runs, only for him to receive a short arm tackle from a opposition second row going for the line. But Celtic failed to capitalize on the penalty and field position.
As the second half wore on Kenkig Hill started to come back into the game and but for Celtic's strong defence and some poor handling by the centres, they would have been back in the game. Also losing their
captain and second row to the sin bin following his second warning for foul play did not help their cause. But eventually another individual effort saw Kenfig Hill close in on the Celtic score when N Giles
crossed for his second try which again went unconverted. 14-10

With less than twenty minutes to go Kenfig Hill were in their 22mtr
area and in possession of the ball when again poor handling by the centres saw the ball going
loose and wing Greg Davies receiving the ball to out pace the defence to go over in the corner for a unconverted try. With about ten minutes to go plus injury time Celtic lost second row Chris Everett to the sin bin for killing the ball in the ruck and as a result Kenfig Hill were able to use their one man advantage and once again N Giles was able to cross for his second try which this time he converted. 19-17

With time ticking away and Celtic defending resolutely, the Celtic supporters still biting their finger nails hoping that this was not to be another game lost in the dying minutes. However with the last
move of the game Celtic's seven forwards turned the ruck ball over and full back Sean Raymond kicked the ball dead to end what was a very exciting game.

Credit must given to the forwards with Peter Kehoe, Keiron Power putting in some telling tackles and No8 Ryan Jones with his charging runs, who made inroads in the opposition defence.
Celtic are pleased to announce that former Newport coach Ian Hembrow has agreed to rejoin
the club as Head Coach and Mark Titely in charge of thr backs, with captain Matthew Bater
stepping down as forwards coach but still being an active member of the coaching team.
Maesteg Celtics next game will be at home in the Swalec Cup ko 2-30pm
on November 15th against second division 2 east team Fleur De Lys.