Ammanford 43 Maesteg 24
Ammanford Tried hard to lose.
After a first class effort in their last game this game was a disappointment with the home team trying hard to lose the game through poor handling and weak tackling.
After realising that Maesteg had turned up with a bare 15 the Ammanford mind set was clearly not focused. Maesteg started very positively and soon earner a simple penalty that gave them 0-3 lead. Ammanford tried to attack but their hands let them down and Maesteg were soon back on the front foot winning a second kickable penalty, 0-6.
Ammanford from the kick off put together some quality rugby, unfortunately it only lasted two minutes but did produce 14 points. The home side stole the kick off moved the ball wide and from a fine break by centre Andrew Owen was offloaded to supporting wing Dafydd Pritchard to canter over under the posts, outside half Steffan Roberts added the extra two points. From receiving, Ammanford went directly back on the offensive and a deft kick through by full back Ceri Rees saw wing Steffan Howells win the race to the ball and score next to the posts, Roberts converted, 14-6.
This was the time when the poor tackling kicked in allowing Maesteg to get back into the game with a converted try, 14-13. Although down to 14 men the visitors remained positive and earned a third penalty, 14-16. Ammanford were soon back on the attack but several chances were blown by poor handling. Eventually, they put a string of passes together which allowed centre Owen to dart through for a try and take the score to 19-16 at the half.
The second half started much better with some good hands moving the ball wide for Rees to score, 24-16, and gain the bonus point. The tackling was still an issue that allowed Maesteg to get easily into an attacking position and win a fourth penalty, 24-19.
A sharp piece of work by scrum half Gareth Rees saw him take a quick tap penalty and sprint 40m for a try, Roberts added the two, 31-19. From looking comfortable a yellow card and poor tackling allowed Maesteg to get back into the game with a try powered over by their forwards, 31-26.
Ammanford finished the stronger thanks to having fresh legs in the last quarter and a try from replacement hooker Rhodri Jones and a second Howells after both wingers had linked up on the right saw the score finish a comfortable 43-24. A week off next week will be followed by a very busy April and early May.
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