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Saturday sees WRU Championship Champions elect Pontypool arrive at South Parade for the first time. Two clubs from two very different backgrounds clash. It promises to be a great occasion for the Quins.

This season has turned out to be a battle to avoid the extended relegation trap-door for the Quins. Consequently, matches between all the clubs outside the top four are absolutely massive in the fight to elude the drop. There are bigger, much bigger matches for the Quins in the tough quest for league points against their equals. Yet with all due respect to every other club in the Championship, to host former Welsh rugby giants Pontypool, is unbelievable. Actually, it's unfathomable

Pontypool is an atmospheric place. Its narrow streets and Victorian architecture oozes history. Rugby has been at the heart of the town since 1868 and despite not being one of the WRU ‘fashionable’ clubs, the name Pontypool is synonymous with success. 

Beginning in 1903-04 with the first of two Monmouthshire League titles, they evolved further. A decade later came their inaugural ‘unofficial’ Welsh club champions title. Between the season immediately prior to World War One and 1987-88, Pooler were all-Wales champions, albeit ‘unofficial’, a further nine times. 

Under the tutelage of the legendary Ray Prosser, who coached Pontypool for 18 years until 1987,  they were unofficial Welsh club champions on five occasions. This included a hat trick of titles between 1983-1986.

In 1982-83 they won what was then the Schweppes Welsh Cup. A dour game against a Swansea team who weren't allowed to have the ball, it is doubtful anyone from the Llwyd valley cared - the silverware went back with them for the first time.

Pooler won National League Division One in 2002-2003. They were Division One [East] champions in 2007-2008 and the grand old club have, of course, been Championship champions for the past two seasons.

Throughout their magnificent sesqicentennial of seasons, the Gwent powerhouse have seemingly had to force the powers that be to take notice of what they have to offer Welsh rugby. Facilities accepted, clubs who win their respective leagues get promoted - no ifs, no buts, no maybes. Needless overthinking and overcomplication of the simple basis of league competition has held Pooler back.

Yes there has been a two seasons unbeaten league record to celebrate, but the ring-fencing nonsense that unnecessarily protects clubs while pushing down others with a big stick does nothing to create competition or standards. Whoever thought them up and those who ratified the strategy have imposed a gross folly upon Welsh rugby.

Even now, with the likelihood of a third consecutive Championship title on the horizon, Pooler then have to go through a play-off with the fifth from bottom club in the Premier League. Having gone through the stupid system ourselves, the competition rules are wrong.

Hence to give themselves every chance of success and achieving their Premier dream, Pooler have for much of the past three seasons, brought a Sherman tank to a fist fight. Hopefully this will be their year.

Another reason to wish Pooler well after Saturday is their backs coach Matthew Jones. Maesteg man Matthew has a huge family and personal connection with the Quins. Father Peter was an attacking full-back of note. Brother Darren ‘Tiger’ was also a flair player who played many times in the Quins back three. Matthew also helped coach our club when time constraints allowed a number of seasons ago.

What of the Quins? At Pontypool Park the Llynfi faithful were delighted with the performance put up by the coal black and blood reds. Heart and determination are the bare minimum and non-negotiable when putting on a rugby jersey. At Pontypool in October these qualities were taken to another level.

Then, as now, there is an envy among everyone who has turned out for the Quins. All would love to play in such a fixture. Yet it is the class of 2019, those who have played a part for the last nine years, nobody else, who have earned the right compete in this fixture against the most prestigious opponents the club has ever faced - as equals.

Although never Welsh champions, over two decades the Quins have gradually climbed to the second tier of Welsh league rugby. Garnering eight championships of their own along the way. Dean Ronan has been in charge for nine years, during which time the club has won five national league championships and a Glamorgan title.

Go back twenty-two years. Pontypool finished fourth in Division 2 [behind Dunvant - Caerphilly - Cross Keys].  Maesteg RFC were seventh. Maesteg Quins ended fourth in Division 7 [Central]. Since then its been one hell of a journey for the Quins.

Returning to the present, every Saturday takes on a new meaning. On Saturday 2^nd March, it won’t be a fixture between relegation candidates, but a match between Championship champions elect and the Maesteg Harlequins. 

As flag bearers of the Llynfi valley the Quins are certainly ‘mighty’, having worked arduously week in, week out for a decade, fighting incredibly hard to get here rising up league after league. When the performances are right, games like this and the memories that accompany them are the glorious reward on earth - and up above. 

Without a doubt, the Quins will never get sick of it and appreciate every moment. On Saturday, with a host of former players in attendance to cheer them on: whoever takes the field they will suck it all up, take on the challenge and enjoy every second.

In true Quins fashion, when the going gets tough amid the fight, they'll look at the man to their left and the man to the right. Happy with the sight, with renewed vigour Quins men will charge on - and some – no question.

Come along and enjoy a great game and occasion for the club. Kick-off 14.30hrs.