The days are being counted down, time is being wished away, conversations are rife and the anticipation is tangible. Saturday sees Maesteg Quins host Maesteg RFC.
It took 111 years for the Quins to record their inaugural success over the Old Parish, a 13-11 SWALEC Plate win at South Parade in 2012. In the following ten fixtures the Quins have registered eight wins. This would have brought them level with Maesteg in the number of wins between each other.
Last ten matches:
April 2017 Quins 40 – 7
March 2017 Quins 18 – 39
October 2016 Quins 34 – 15
December 2015 Maesteg 24 – 11
September 2015 Quins 29 – 26
April 2014 Maesteg 17 – 15
October 2013 Quins 37 – 10
April 2013 Quins 34 – 10
November 2012 Quins 16 – 21
January 2012 Quins 13 – 11
Every one of the above matches has a story to tell. Some infamous, but mostly of tactics, tenacity, tries and team effort. Whether it is the missing five minutes in 2014, the sublime victory of 2017 or the injured referee. Moments of individual magic have been abundant too and some of the tries scored by both teams an absolute privilege to witness. This week will be no different.
Even better for the men of South Parade, despite Maesteg’s history and financial clout, there have been three seasons where the Quins have usurped the Old Parish as the Llynfi valley’s top club. Last season was one such campaign, when the Quins finished an incredible second in the table and the 7777 sixth.
This is something the Old Parish has been desperate to redress. It used to be Bridgend but today, defeat at the hands of the coal blacks and blood reds is the least palatable of all defeats for Maesteg. Victories over the Quins are filled with all the passion and enthusiasm of those matches of yesteryear against the Ravens.
Love
Not that the Quins don’t treasure the black and amber scalp highly, far from it. Of course it is highly prized, but it is a sign of the esteem in which Maesteg are held that fuels the South Parade men’s desire. True rugby enthusiasts don’t need reminding of the Llynfi Road outfit’s past. Consequently Quins delight in living for today and love to overturn historical dominance.
Last term the Quins and Maesteg played each other three times. Four if the thirty minutes abandonment is included. Each resulted in convincing wins for the coal black and blood reds, culminating in the 40-7 victory at South Parade. Yet apart from the final encounter, the score-line tells lies. The Plate match was an absolute classic, going into extra time and then the Quins cut loose.
Even a decade ago, nobody would have seen a forty points Quins win as something the Quins would ever achieve. That sort of result was common for Maesteg in those rare fixtures of yesteryear.
On to this season, Maesteg ejected a number of players from last season’s squad and recruited widely in the summer. Led by the much travelled Cameron Davies, their talented recruits have added greatly to their squad.
Having lost at home to a resurgent Tondu, the Old Parish will be looking to open their account by defeating their closest rugby neighbours. Maesteg's team is still gelling and will only improve. It won’t take long for them to get back on track. Undoubtedly the inspirational qualities of a local derby will raise motivational and performance levels. Nothing would give the Llynfi Road men greater pleasure than to lower the Quins colours on Saturday.
Alternatively, the Quins have remained relatively settled and hit the ground running against Aberafan Quins last week. Momentum will be important and the Quins want to keep the ball rolling.
Whatever happens, the anticipation and excitement is already high. It will be at fever pitch by Saturday for what will be another excellent game. If you’re a neutral or a fanatic of either club, the Quins versus Maesteg match is mouth-watering.
See you at South Parade.
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Dai, I can only say - heáhcræf - Ye Olde Worlde Quins Honorary Quack !
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