Division Two West Central

Maesteg Celtic 29 Cwmgors 8

Cwmgors, with a ten-match fixture backlog in front of them, returned to action with a trip to Maesteg Celtic.

The Cherries, despite travelling with a bare squad, began well and pressurised the home try-line in the opening quarter.

The visiting backs looked sharp from the off and thought their good early play had borne fruit, but were thwarted when flanker Cerith Dennard was held up on the line.

The home side dropped a penalty short from halfway before hitting Cwm on the break to record a converted opening try.

And it was against the run of play that a second home try arrived as Cwm found themselves 14-0 down despite their bright start.

Sensing the importance of reducing the arrears before the interval, Cwm looked to get on the front foot and their due reward came with a superb individual try when the ball was spread wide to wing Chris Yap Jones, who eluded two defenders on a 60-metre solo run to go over.

Turning around 14-5 adrift, Cwmgors again started the half positively with backrower Ioan Davies getting through some excellent work around the park and making some big hits as well as offering himself in attack and securing line-out ball.

But the visitors were caught out by a third home try before scrum half Caron Jones reduced the arrears with a penalty.

The home side bagged their bonus point score when they capitalised on a Cwmgors error as their larger pack began to edge a tiring Cherries eight and a last-gasp try with the last move of the game was harsh on a gallant Cherries side.

Cwmgors travel to Aberavon Green Stars on Saturday in a bid to reduce their fixture backlog. They have also rescheduled their away match at Aberavon Quins for Friday, March 18 (7.15pm KO).