Saturday, December, 9^th, 2017.

Maesteg Quins 26 – 5 Seven Sisters

WRU Division 1 West Central

RUSTY FROZEN FINGERS

Having lain idle for a month, coupled with a snow spattered South Parade and muscle contracting two degrees, it was understandable how handling errors foiled promising passages of play for both the Quins and Seven Sisters.

Seven Sisters were opened up by Grant Epton. Unfortunately, the fine inter-passing that followed was ended by a knock-on.

PICTON HOISTS, EVANS GATHERS, EPTON SCORES

Having opened the defence, experienced debutant Epton opened the scoring. Instigated by an excellent Garryowen from Jack Picton, expertly re-gathered by Geraint Evans, who slid the ball to Epton to canter thirty yards to the posts. Siôn King converted.

MESMERISING MOVE

The Quins were mesmerised by missed passes and dummy runners, for Seven’s Mitchell to go racing up the wing. His inside pass sent Ben Atkins in at the corner.

With their tails up and assisted by Quins indiscipline, Seven piled on the pressure. It was only resolute defending that repelled the assaults

CHIP AND PIN DOWN

A series of rucks and darting runs stretched Seven. A deft Lee Ronan rolling chip ahead pinned the final defender down, forcing him to carry the ball over his own line. With a dominant scrum, from five yards the Quins lurched through the pack ice for Michael Owen to touchdown.

Quins hammered away at the visitors. It appeared they had manufactured a third try, but a foot in touch ended the half.

WATERTIGHT WALL

Basement club Seven Sisters were inspired and started the second half with renewed vigour, but they still found an impenetrable Quins wall that would eventually force an error or win a turnover.

ICE-BREAKER

Having absorbed immense pressure there was a breakout and the Quins were more creative.

Burst after burst was made, but Seven Sisters always managed to bring a Quins carrier down. Eventually Epton exploited a gap and passed to Scott Williams for a certain score. However, the second row was held back before he could gather. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and issuing a yellow card.

BATTLING BEARS

Seven came back again. Their multiple pick-ups and two-man drives were met head on. The seismic hits, shuddering bodies and rigorous wrestling resembled territorial bears brawling in the tundra.

KING’S CROSS

A King cross-kick was well taken by Jack Picton, who only had to drop to the ground to score, but he knocked-on in mid-air.

ROAMING IN THE GLOAMING

With the players becoming less distinguishable in the gloaming, in a desperate bid not to concede another score Seven were gifting penalties like a ‘Black Friday’ sale. These penalties were turned into scrums that had taken the customary Seven Sisters passive route.

Carrier after carrier tried to take the direct route to score Two were held up over the line. Finally Jay Ronan ground his way over to secure five league points. King’s conversion ended a thoroughly competitive game.

15. Geraint Evans 14. Jack Picton 13. Grant Epton (T) 12. Lee Ronan 11. Cory Harris 10. Siôn King (2C) 9. Ben Davies

  1. Lewis Francis 2. Jay Ronan (T) 3. Dean Ronan 4. Aled Evans (c) 5. Scott Williams 6. Josh Mines 8. Michael Owen (T) 7. Lewis Tutt

Penalty Try

Replacements

16. Ryan George for C. Harris 17. Andrew Healy for M. Owen 18.  Dylan Phillips for J. Mines 19. Gavin Burridge for A. Evans