Fixture

Wednesday, May, 2^nd, 2018

Maesteg Quins 34 – 17 Ammanford

Division One West Central

at Llynfi Road

Maesteg RFC generously allowed the Quins use of their Llynfi Road home and despite a wet forecast, the weather was perfect for rugby.

Both teams tried to make the most of the climatic conditions and played positively from the beginning. There were plenty of breaks, but the mixture of a slight lack of composure, unfamiliarity and minor errors halted some promising movements and made for a match full of peaks and troughs.

Quins were on top in the early stages. A strong scrum drove Ammanford backwards for some twenty yards. Mike Owen controlled the ball perfectly against his former team mates and when the ball was illegally plucked from his feet, a penalty try was awarded.

Quickly throwing in an Ammanford clearance, the ball was moved across the field. Centre Jakob Williams looked on his way to the line. Unexpectedly clattered, Lloyd Bradley’s hard work and intelligent looping support run maintained fluidity. A quick transfer and the outside-half crossed out wide.

Soon after Bradley increased the lead with a penalty. A line-out drive concluded when Jay Ronan dropped over the line for a try. Bradley converted.

With half-time approaching a scrappy period ensued. Neither side could keep hold of the ball. At this time a platoon of Ammanford backs found a midfield mismatch and centre Alun Owen twisted out of a tackle to score.

Three tries to the good, the Quins wanted to get a bonus point touchdown as quickly was possible. They had the opportunities, numbers and space but couldn’t put players away. Turning to their powerful scrum again a second penalty try was awarded.

Running from deep an elaborate move unluckily didn’t transpire. Ammanford pinned the Quins in their twenty-five and replacement Cerith Harries bundled across the line from close range.

The game got scrappier. It didn’t help that the referee, who otherwise had an excellent game, thought he was Michael Parkinson. Regularly stopping the game he conducted endless, in-depth conversations with players.

An Ammanford overthrow saw the ball rest on the ground and in an absolutely sublime show of skill, Lloyd Bradley picked-up at full-pelt without breaking stride. Chipping ahead the eventual clearance didn’t gain distance.

Ryan George has been showing his full array of skills in recent weeks. In this match it was his direct, abrasive edge. From the line-out George ploughed into his opposite number. Pumping his legs, it took several others to bring the Atlas ball down. Ben Davies foiled a visiting presumption of the ball going wide. Flipping a back pass to the outstanding Lewis Francis, the prop rounded off a fine overall performance by powering over the line.

It was a tough contest. There were more limps than an erectile dysfunction clinic, particularly from cramp.

Rhodri Thomas proved a safe pair of hands throughout and Ben Davies maintained the tempo. Lloyd Bradley’s display was an assortment of executing the simple very well, moments of high skill and intelligence.

Complimenting Francis in the pack; Jay Ronan and Aled Evans eagerly sought work and grafted hard. Josh Mines again didn’t miss a single tackle. Adam Hillier-Rees looked impressive with last ditch interventions, tackling, overturning possession and Steve Williams in every match of late leads by extraordinary, exemplary, example.

Ammanford abandoned caution and if they were going to go down, they were to do so exhibiting their true talents. Spread across the field the Boars passed and probed in their usual manner. Alun Owen walked through a tackle for his second try. Roberts converted to conclude the match.

This bonus point win meant Quins’ next opponents Bridgend Athletic could not overtake them. Then from Crofft Goch came news of Kenfig Hill’s victory over Ystalyfera. The Swansea valley club are the only side who can overtake the Quins. The maximum number of points ‘Fera can amass is eighty-six. The coal black and blood reds are already on eighty-four. Consequently, three more points from their final four matches means Quins can be crowned Division One title with one more win.