News

Saturday, September, 23^rd, 2017.

Resolven 14 – 38 Maesteg Quins

SWALEC Division One West [Central].

It was important for top spot Quins to maintain their early form against eleventh placed Resolven. A typically combative Neath valley pack and backs given a licence to play, meant this Quins win was stunning and determined in equal measure.

RESOLVEN'S RESOLVE

Resolven were certainly motivated. It was quickly evident they possessed a proficient pack. They supplied and disrupted ball in equal measure. Consequently, Resolven took the lead when influential out-half Steffan Williams converted a forty yards penalty.

Williams made a break from the restart and were it not for a knock-on on half-way, it could have been an even brighter start for the hosts.

Lee Ronan opened the home defence but a forward pass halted further advance. Resolven placed more pressure on the Quins who shovelled poor possession across the park. Additionally, the visitors had not fathomed the weather conditions and unique features of Vaughan Field.

ALL SHOOK UP

Someone had to produce a spark for the Quins and bright light Nathan Smith set the Quins on fire. When Resolven's maul resistance dissolved, the Quins lock burst through. Facing a final defender whose legs were shaking and knees were weak, who couldn’t seem to stand on his own two feet, Smith flattened him with an explosive hand-off and sprinted to the line to round-off a fine forty yards run. Rhodri Davies converted the narrow angled conversion.

Immediately Davies put in a taunting touch-finder. Winning the line-out a magnificent maul twirled and whirled until illegally halted for a penalty try.

AUSPICIOUS MINES

The home full-back endured a torrid time. Caught in a trap, he couldn’t get out of contending with a barrage of bombs from Davies. Josh Mines pounced on an ungathered Garryowen and was away on a gliding run. Eluding several tacklers, his final off-load just wasn’t taken.

MIDFIELD BREACH

The game lulled a little but Lee Ronan now added an attacking threat to his already impressive defensive display. Getting behind the home midfield, Alex Griffiths appeared on Ronan’s shoulder and when confronted by the full-back, a pass to Aled Edwards sent the centre on a simple run in.

Jack Picton’s perfectly placed punt had to be run into touch. However, Quins couldn’t seal the bonus point before the half was over when the maul didn't go over the line.

CHANCES CREATED

Would the 19-3 score-line be enough against the sun and slope? The early signs suggested 'yes', even though Williams opened the second half scoring with a penalty, as the Quins were breaking through but just couldn’t get over.

Geraint Evans made a break-out from the twenty-five. Returning Lewis Tutt maintained the movement. A further pass to Lee Ronan, took the Quins into the opposite twenty-five. A slightly delayed pass was enough to stall the move.

TOMORROW WILL BE TOO LATE

Ronan couldn’t get a pass away after making another break. Nevertheless, the Quins were taking command. Twice Nathan Smith appeared in one passage of play and when he stole a line-out, the Quins had waited for the right time and now that they were near the line, it was now or never for the Quins if they were secure a bonus point. When the thirty yards maul crossed the line, Smith was way down at the bottom of it for his second and the bonus point try. Davies converted.

EVERYBODY IN THE WHOLE QUINS PACK - WERE SOLID AS A ROCK

Steve Williams defended like a man possessed. Josh Mines and Lewis Tutt mopped up the rest. Grafting Gavin Burridge provided his usual support. The front-row was the platform that caused a lot of hurt.

Williams kicked his third goal to make it 9-26, before the Maesteg men’s long range-attacks brought great success.

VARIED PLAY

For Resolven, Lee Ronan proved a devil in disguise. This time his lazer guided long pass found Alex Griffiths in the Quins twenty-five. Griffiths showed wonderful hands, power to break tackles and pace. Passing back inside to Ronan who jinked and angled his way towards the opposition line, the centre maintained the move’s fluidity by passing back outside to the supporting Geraint Evans for a score.

LONESOME DEFENDERS

The next try was even better. Resolven’s defence had drifted apart. Their centres had strayed, out of the way. with the space in the midfield empty and bare, Owen Richards gazed at the back-line and saw a gap there. With his speed and power, he ran into Resolven’s half. Out went the ball before being passed back to Lee Ronan who crossed for a deserved touchdown, rounding off a magnificent move and topping a great individual performance. Davies converted.

Resolven had the last word. A long series of pick up and drives ended when centre Darren Bowen not only found himself in amongst the pack, but in possession and he darted over for a try.

This was a wonderful away, bonus point victory against combative opponents who play far better than their league position suggests.

Next week Bonymaen visit South Parade.

15. Geraint Evans (T) 14. Jack Picton 13. Aled Edwards (T) 12. Lee Ronan (T) 11. Alex Griffiths

10. Rhodri Davies (3C) 9. Geraint Watkins

1. Ioan Williams 2. Jay Ronan 3. Mark Watson 4. Nathan Smith (2T)

5. Gavin Burridge 6. Josh Mines 8. Lewis Tutt 7. Steven Williams (c)

Penalty Try

Replacements

16. Dean Ronan for J. Ronan 17. Lewis Francis for I. Williams

18. Stephen Davies for J. Mines 19. Owen Richards for A. Edwards

20. Siôn King for J. Picton