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There are just two occasions when the Quins have played Beddau. The most recent encounter was a pre-season match at South Parade which emphatically went the way of the visitors.

The inaugural match between the clubs came in the SWALEC cup during the 1996-1997 season. It was a game the Quins coaches would dearly have loved to win. It would have been a great feather in the Quin’s cap had this been achieved and one of the best victories in the club’s history at that time.

Sadly, it was a 13-12 defeat at Mount Pleasant. If only Darren Jones had put the ball down in the corner! No ‘Tiger’, we haven’t forgotten!

Beddau are a ‘proper’ rugby club with its strength in its conveyor belt of talent as they nurture the talent between themselves and Bryncelynnog Comprehensive. In other areas Beddau would have been repetitive champions of their areas, but Mid-District was a tough section, with the likes of Treorchy; Llanharan; Penygraig, Mountain Ash; Abercynon and Cilfynydd all competing hard when in their pomp.

Much like the Quins, the start of the new Millennium has been kind to Beddau. Mid-District Cup handed their challenge cup to the green and golds in 2004 and didn’t get it back for five years. They won it again in 2013 to make it seven wins when their 1970-71 triumph is added to the list.

Beddau have also won the Glamorgan County Silver Ball [1989-1990] and gained Championship status in 2014-15 when they won Division One East at a canter and came out on top against Penallta [22-13] in the ludicrous play-off system.

However, travesty struck in 2006-2007 when the club were really on song. Having won Division Beddau were denied promotion to the Premier League as their Mount Pleasant ground didn’t meet the WRUs facilities criteria. Their coach at the time, a name familiar to us in Maesteg –Brett Davey made heartfelt overtures, to no avail. It was such a blow the uber talented full-back went to England. Incidentally, if he hadn’t, Tomos Francis may well be playing for England now as it was Davey who recognised the Welsh spelling of his name and ushered the tight head towards the Land of Song.

Any rugby club that produces four Lions must be doing something phenomenal. Gary Protheroe, 70s hero Steve Fenwick, plus Wales’ 2005 Grand Slam winning skipper Michael Owen who led the country to bring brought home something many a Welsh rugby follower despaired we would never see again. Then of course there is Wales’ record cap holder, the absolute freak of nature that is Gethin Jenkins who has brought the Six Nations championship home along with Owen. Who will ever forget that try against Ireland in the 2005 Grand Slam clinching match? The man has secured his legendary status in the game that’s for sure.

Add to the internationals list: Chris Bridges; Andrew Lamerton; Gemma Hallett; Bradley Davies and the genial Gareth Wyatt and that is a substantial list.

Currently coached by Lee Jarvis, like the Quins Beddau have not started too well. They sit one point and one place above bottom club Quins. They will see this match as the perfect opportunity to utilise their Championship experience to record their first win of the season.

Quins have been playing with belief but have not quite managed to turn possession into points. This will be rectified. It is just a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if.’ Saturday will be the ideal time to break their duck, not only in the league table but also against their opponents. Yet chances have to be taken otherwise Quins will be digging their own grave against Beddau.

Also this Saturday, should Leon Crow take the field, he will make his 350th appearance for the club.