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MOUNTING ASH CHALLENGE

Parc Dyffryn Pennar Mountain Ash, will be the third and final stop for the Quins in their pre-season preparations.

Very much like the Llynfi, cwm Cynon has four clubs in close proximity. At the foot of the valley lies Abercynon. Mountain Ash is positioned slap bang the centre. At the head of the valley you will find Abercwmboi and Aberdare.

It really is a rugby hotbed, with the clubs fed by three comprehensives in Aberdare, Mountain Ash and Ysgol Gyfun Cymraeg Rhydywaun churning out players.

The Old Firm have already taken on Championship opposition at their own patch in the form of Rhydfelin, who ruthlessly pounced upon a couple of slight slips in intensity to make multiple scores and take the game away from their hosts.

Rhydfelin recognized the youthful make-up of Mountain Ash plus their zest and exuberance.

Competing in Division One East Central, the Old Firm finished seventh in 2017-2018. They have yo-yo’d between the top four and ninth since gaining promotion from Two East in 2013-2014.

Quins have met Mountain Ash just once before in the dramatic 2010-2011 Glamorgan County Silver Ball final at the Brewery Field. Both clubs were undefeated in the respective leagues, Quins Four South-West and Mountain Ash Two East.

Quins were 19-16 victors on that day to claim their second Silver Ball with a monumentally defiant defensive effort.

On gaining promotion Mountain Ash had a couple of lean years, but looking at the competition they faced is like looking at a who’s who of your worst fixture list nightmares: Ebbw Vale – Bargoed – Newbridge – Glamorgan Wanderers and current Principality Premiership and Cup champions Merthyr, who finished just two places above the relegation area.

A season later, add Penallta, Ystrad Rhondda eventual champions RGC 1404 into the mix and it is clear tough competition is par for the course for Mountain Ash.

In 2017-2018 there were no real ‘whipping boys’ in One East Central. The relegated clubs ended with thirty-one and twenty-nine points.

Mountain Ash have historically been a rugby powerhouse. They were themselves one of Welsh rugby's top teams. Not quite the equal of Cardiff and Swansea, but certainly on a par with Maesteg in better days.

Founded in 1875, five years before the formation of the WRU, Mountain Ash has supplied the Welsh national team with eight full internationals from 1892 until 1948. The list includes F.M. Mills 1892-1896; W.H. Millar1896-1901; W. T. Osborne 1902-1903; A.W. Jones 1905, E.J.R. Thomas 1906-1909, T.F. Samuel 1922, T. Collins 1923; L. Manfield 1939-1948. The proudest of all achievements indeed for any club.

On the inception of league rugby in Wales the Old Firm caused a great stir, when Wales and Pontypridd full-back returned to his hometown club.

Saturday’s match will be testing and perfect preparation for the Championship challenges that lie ahead.