Today’s the Day - December 8th

Another rain affected Saturday allows us to look back at previous matches 'On this Day'...

Remember, this was not too long after big spending Pyle had had swept all before them in in the Central Glamorgan Wistech Leagues. One of the first teams to spend their way to league success, Pyle were one of the first to feel the effects of financial loss equating to player departures.

Fresh in the memory of many a Quins follower was a 70-nil hammering at Brynglas, with former Fiji 'B' centre Tevita Manasitava scoring four.For every Manasitava try, was a Quins player who took part in that humbling demolition and how dearly all of those wanted to return the compliment.

There were no such nightmares or demons to exorcise for the majority of the Quins team, who had formed an integral part of the League, Silver Ball and President's Cup winning team of the previous season.

Returning to the club he captained to National League greatness was Quins skipper Colin Roberts.

2001 – 2002

Pyle 21 – 66 Maesteg Quins

Division 5 West Central

Despite scoring ten tries and recording a thumping victory, it is not an exaggeration to say there were many, many more opportunities which went begging, with the Quins dropped an unprecedented 21 passes. A significant percentage of those occurring with the line at the mercy of the Maesteg men, particularly in the second period.

15. Richard Brace (TC) 14. Darren Jones (T) 13. Andrew Leighton 12. Iain Morris (6C) 11. Leon Crow 10. Ryan John (C) 9. Nick Flay (2T)

1. Darren Johnson 2. Shane Williams 3. Lee Sparrow 4. Paul Treloar 5. Mark Petty 6. Peter Jenkins (T) 8. Colin Roberts (c) (2T) 7. Justin Davies

Penalty Try

Replacements

16. Dai Berry rep Darren Johnson 17. Chris Davies 18. Simon Lyons 19. Neville Roberts (2T) for R. John

Blaengarw were a club on a high. Under the stewardship of former Quins coach Leighton O'Connor and Tondu stalward Gareth Brown, the Stags had climberd the leagues and attracted an array of talent to the top of the Garw valley.

This Quins seconds had a host of experience and a number of top performers and with the 'cement' of consistent contributors.

 Two of the most recent additions to the club were Lyndon Davies and Gavin Ronan. The late, great, Dennis Batemen summed up the pair in his typical no nonsense style. "Of all the players [who finished Youth rugby] Quins have got the best two."

Both were raw. Lyndon overweight and Gavin more goalkeeper than second row. Both were more than willing to work and learn. Davies went on to captain the Quins, Maesteg [playing 200 plus games in better times] and is now turning out for Nantyffyllon. 'Goon' toured central west Wales playing for Maesteg, Aberafan, Swansea, Tata and is now enjoying the benefits of representing Pontrhydyfen.

Nathan Williams is still an integral part of the 2nd team and Paul Edwards remains in rugby, coaching Maesteg Youth RFC. Lindon Jenkins is seen strutting the touchline as trainer for both the 1sts and 2nds.

2001 – 2002 Quins II 29 – 24 Blaengarw II

15. Lee N. Jones 14. Lee Bevan 13. Nathan Williams (2C) 12. David Phillips 11. Chris Reffell (2T) 10. Andrew Dixon 9. Darren Phelps

1. Steve Burnett 2. Lyndon Davies 3. David Ackery (T) 4. Gavin Ronan 5. Terry Adams (T) 6. Andrew North (T) 8. Paul Edwards 7. Cei Davies

Replacements

16. Gareth Coombes for D. Phillips 17. Lindon Jenkins for S. Burnett

A wonderous reception awaited the Quins for their first visit to Crymych. The travelling hordes cuaght the hosts unawares who generously provided sandwiches that were gratefully accepted after the long journey to Pembrokeshire. Undaunted the chef de mission rushed out and produced even more delecacies.

Saturday December 8th 2011
Crymych 21 – 19 Maesteg Quins
Division 2 West

Imagine the Quins won this match. It’s easy if you try. No defensive lapses, no kicks astray. Imagine all the passes, going into hands. Some would say “you’re a dreamer, but you’re not the only one.” It could have happened.

The Quins didn’t need to imagine obtaining a positive result, as this was an excellently contested, even encounter that could have gone either way.

Charging down a box kick, Crymych regained possession but failed to release the ball Gareth Lewis kicked the penalty to take a second minute lead at Parc Lloyd Thomas on the plateau of the Presceli mountains.

Rather than play an orthodox game, the Quins decided to throw the ball around deep inside their twenty-five. It wasn’t a case of running up dark alleys, as the alleys weren’t there to run up.

Neither did the kicking game help, it only added to the pressure and it during this extended period of defending, Crymych’s blindside flanker Griffiths punched through the Quins defence and crossed of a try. Full-back Phillips converted.

A little later the hosts were again unable to roll away from a ruck and Lewis cut the deficit to a point with his second penalty.

An inaccurate and aimless Quins box kick that only served as a well-timed pass to the Crymych full-back, who ran hard onto the ball and pick a point to penetrate the Quins defence. With the Quins defence stretched, they did remarkable well to make the hosts work hard for their scoring reward. During this period the Quins were reduced to fourteen and right winger Gavin Thomas scored in the corner.

There was much ebbing and flowing between the two halves and the score stayed at 12-6 until half-time.

There was much ebbing and flowing until a frenzied exchange of points in the final quarter. The fluctuating fortunes had both sets of supporters on tenterhooks and it started when the Quins hauled themselves back into the match with a penalty try. It was no mean feat to consistently shunt the home pack back, as their captain and tight head was none other than former Neath and Scarlets flanker John Davies. The veteran prop being the second oldest player on the park behind Nick Flay.

At half-time Davies urged his troops to keep jabbing at the Quins and secure the ball. This they did and Crymych regained their two points lead after a long period of sustained possession, conjured up a penalty that Phillips converted.

The Quins line-out was working well and they managed to elude the initial legal collapse of a maul and went driving up-field. Crymych chanced their arm and illegally prevented the advance. Lewis converted the penalty.

Employing the same prolonged possession tactics, Crymych found themselves with an attacking scrum on the edge of the Quins twenty-five. The scrum wheeled and the Quins were penalised for the back-row not binding. Phillips kicked the penalty.

The game was entering a dramatic finale. Another fine driving maul allowed Gareth Lewis to drop a goal and with a handful of minutes the Quins somehow had to hold on.

Gathering the restart they tried to run down the clock. Kicking the ball to touch would only have allowed Crymych to regain possession and secure the ball for long periods again and get into kicking distance. Neither was an orthodox relieving kick infield of any use, as the home back three were aligned and waiting to receive the ball and start the long process of possession procured penalties.

Passing the ball out wide to the lesser defended left hand touch-line for a punt upfield was a good idea but it wasn’t executed well. The pass went wildly wayward and handed possession back to Crymych deep inside the Quins twenty-five.

The hosts recycled and got themselves into a position that allowed Phillips to repay the drop goal compliment which he did.

There was still time for another score but the Quins, who all game had been keeping the ball to hand, with seconds remaining, kicked the ball back to their opponents who gratefully thumped the ball to touch to end the game.

At the final whistle the Quins were dejected, with some players slumped on the ground while the Crymych team were jubilant in their celebrations. The reward of league points were won and lost in a game that could have gone either way. These prized points were the motivation for every player from both teams and the reaction was just what it should be. It was a great game and a pleasure to watch.

Imagine if the Quins had won this game, well it isn’t that difficult but they are being made to work harder for everything they get. It is far better to made to play to the best of your ability and this league is doing exactly that, but this young Quins side can only and will improve.

15. Nathan Morgan 14. Leon Crow 13. Kyle Blackmore 12. Ryan Lovett 11. Owen Richards 10. Gareth Lewis (c) (C 3PG DG) 9. Nick Flay
1. Rhodri Roberts 2. Dean Ronan 3. Richard Teesdale 4. Carl Roberts 5. Nathan Smith 6. Sean Cleary 8. Geraint Williams 7. Lewis Tutt
Penalty Try
Replacement
16. Jay Ronan for S. Cleary 17. Andrew Healy for N. Smith 18. Robert Jones 19. Phillip Lewis for R. Lovett

On the cusp of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the Quins were formed. As the first year of the twentieth century was coming to a close the Quins met Bryncethin. Depending on who you supported, the more (or less) you wanted to say.

All three reports come from different sources. The match was played at Llynfi Road and Maesteg RFC, were steadily building a facility for a grander future with a press box added to the ground.

Names among the Quins fifteen include a Bradley playing against Bryncethin. Could he be an ancestor of former Quins out-half and Bryncethinite Lloyd?

Left-wing Hitchins, may have served in South Africa during the Boer War and this could possibly be his first game on his return.

1900-1901        Bryncethin 1 try; Quins nil