Celtic, currently lying in second place in Division 2 West Central, extended their unbeaten home run this season with a 17-13 triumph that earned them a fourth successive home tie against Division 1 East side Nelson on Saturday. Flanker Jonathan Davies crossed for a try, there was a penalty try and outside half Matthew Harris kicked a penalty and conversion for the home side.
It was only the second defeat of the season for Pwllheli and their loss means only current Division 1 North leaders Nant Conwy (v Blaenavon) and Ruthin (v Ystrad Rhondda) remain in the draw from the north. Both Nant Conwy and Ruthin will be playing away, while Celtic will be one of three teams from Maesteg in the next round having joined Maesteg Quins and Maesteg .
Reigning champions Penallta were leading 19-0 at Division 2 West Central side Cwmgors when their game was abandoned because of a serious injury to home lock Matthew Vickers. The visitors had scored three tries by then, through Ryan Davies, Laurence Pritchard and Aeron Bidgood, and will now travel to Crymych in Round 4 if the result stands.
It means two teams from Penallta will be in cup action this weekend. As well as the senior side, Penallta 2nd XV are through to the fifth round of the WRU National Bowl after their stunning 22-17 away win at Oakdale.
Division 1 East strugglers Blaenavon notched their first win since 4 November when they beat host Waunarlwydd, from Division 1 West Central, 17-9 to progress to the fourth round and secure a home tie with Nant Conwy. Tries from Dafydd Cripps and James Gahan, both converted by Darren Pearce who also kicked a penalty, secured a sage passage for the Gwent club.
WRU National Bowl Round 3 Results
Blaenavon 17, Waunarlwydd 9
Cwmgors 0, Penallta 19 (Match abandoned through injury)
Maesteg Celtic 17, Pwllheli 13
Round 4 Draw
Blaenavon v Nant Conwy
Brynmawr v Ynysybwl
Crymych v Penallta
Maesteg Celtic v Nelson
Maesteg Quins v Treorchy
Mountain Ash v Glamorgan Wanderers
Ystalyfera v Maesteg
Ystrad Rhondda v Ruthin
