Old Parish need a few Premiership miracles

Mar 3 2008 by Richard Clifford, South Wales Echo

THESE are troubled times for bottom of the pile Maesteg who once again face a desperate fight for survival over the next two months.

With matches starting to run out – they now have only eight to play, a majority at home – the prospect of relegation is now starting to dominate talk at the Old Parish.

Their next match, at home to the only team within catching distance of them, Llandovery, on the eve of Wales’ possible championship showdown with France, could hold the key to their destiny.

“It is the big one now,” admitted club spokesman Dennis Thomas. Once again we had two, what looked like, perfectly good tries ruled out so we are not having the rub of the green at the moment.”

It was all to play for at the break, as the Whites, unbeaten this year, led 13-10 having been boosted by a gift try in the fourth minute when Rhys Jones trotted over.

Despite further scares, Maesteg appeared to have clawed back the deficit but referee James Jones ruled out Grant Epton’s effort, deciding he had not grounded the ball correctly.

To rub salt into Maesteg wounds, Matthew Evans took advantage of some powder-puff home tackling to breeze over for a second unconverted try.

Paul Smithson hit back following a patient build up by the Llynfi Valley side, Luke Richards’ conversion denied by the post, but the fly-half made amends when he charged down a kick to cross for the game’s fourth unconverted try.

Ricky Williams kicked a penalty to edge the visitors ahead and that was the signal of a Swansea takeover, Mark Popham, Nicky Jones and Leigh Bevan securing the points with tries.

echo.sport@mediawales.co.uk