Fixture

Thursday, May, 10^th, 2018

Tondu 24 – 15 Maesteg Quins

Division One West Central

Never mistake sport with war, life or death. The reasons for the venue switch for this fixture are heartrending and proof of the previous sentence.

Playing their last game of the season, Tondu were physically fresh but emotionally drained. Alternatively, having claimed the league title five days earlier, the Quins were desperate to complete an unbeaten league season. Unfortunately this engagement, their third in six days, two against the second and fourth teams in the league, proved to be a ‘Operation Market Garden’ for the coal black and blood reds. Tired bodies and jaded minds only just couldn't compete in the face of unrelenting, organised opponents. It was simply - a bridge too far.

Tondu dominated territory in the first half. Quns didn’t help themselves with line-out inaccuracies heaping more pressure on themselves. A ruck offence gave the Waterwheelers an easy 3-nil lead through a Matthew Tatchell penalty.

Unsurprisingly, the Quins looked to be wearing diving boots and unable to put any pace into their game which they have done or late. Taking the ball standing still and utilising long, lofted passes killed off any momentum.

Towards the end of the second half Tondu conceded a glut of penalties. After a number of touch-finders, Lloyd Bradley levelled the scores with a penalty.

A home cross-kick was killed of by an excellent Adam Joshua tackle, which bundled the right wing into touch. A slack Quins line-out ten yards from their own line meant when the ball went across field and back again, the wing wasn’t to be denied a second time and Tatchell converted.

In the second half it took fifteen minutes to add to the score. Quins were trying to pick up the pace but lost possession. Tondu gave a perfect example of how to pass along the line and then inject some pace. When the pace was injected, it was Ashton Evans who scored. Tatchell converted.

The Ronan massive combined for the next score. Big brother Lee cross-kicked and the ball ended in middle sibling Dean’s hands. Drawing and popping to baby brawd Jay, the hooker dived in at the corner. Bradley converted and the Quins were within seven points.

Not that Tondu needed luck, as they outplayed the Quins in every facet of play, yet ‘Lady Luck’ had a hand in the next score. A Waterwheeler’s kick was charged down, but it bounced favourably for the hosts. Still with a bit to do, still they were on the front foot. It culminated with a second Ashton Evans try, goaled by Tatchell.

Time was running out and now the Quins were beginning cause Tondu some problems. A glut of penalties and yellow cards deconstructed the game further. Lloyd Bradley spotted an unmarked Geraint Evans out wide and executed a precision punt that allowed the Quins wing to score.

Soon after the whistle sounded. It was a well-deserved win for the hosts and the first league loss for the Quins in thirty-two matches. Some bemoan the loss of a one hundred percent league record, but to turn to military parlance once more; in reaching an objective there is the inbuilt calculation for ‘acceptable losses.’ Having achieved the objective this ‘bridge too far’ is an acceptable loss. Tondu's unfathomably tragic loss - is far less so.