Today, many teams drop out of the national knock-out competitions. Already Maesteg are looking for a game because their opponents cried off. Last year a team with exactly the same league status and playing record left the Quins game less.

That won’t happen this weekend because both the Quins and Kenfig Hill love the challenges of knock-out rugby. The clubs have had great days competing in the tournament whatever guise it took..

The two clubs participated in giant killing attempts and huge post match celebrations – win or lose.

FINAL TOUCHES

That past includes experiencing Principality Stadium ‘Finals Day’.

Quins were runners-up versus Senghenydd in the 2011 Bowl competition. Whereas Kenfig Hill had the same sinking feeling a year earlier in the 2010 Plate final, against a Maesteg side containing many former Quins players.

EXPECT CHANGE

Kenfig Hill return to South Parade three weeks after a league defeat. The Mules will, undoubtedly be a different animal. Their results since have been impressive. Last week’s win over redoubtable Resolven, was a sure fire sign they are back on track.

OLD FRIENDS

In the last match it was good to see Kenfig Hill’s coach Marius Walters. Marius came to Wales from his native South Africa to play for the Old Parish, alongside his close friend Cois Beukes.

Both men of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ were regular visitors to the club, mainly to enjoy the company of Paul Edwards, Ryan David; ‘Dr’ Darren Harrison; Gareth ‘Tortoise’ Bowen et al. They also played Sunday cricket for the Maesteg Crusaders with several Quins players and legendary Quins tourist Glyn Thomas.

Cois moved to Ireland to play rugby, but has sadly succumbed to illness. He remains fondly remembered in these parts. Marius still passes on his rugby knowledge in the borough. He was once backs coach at Nantyffyllon.

WHAT’S TO COME?

What can the Quins expect from the Crofft Goch outfit? One thing we know, the Mules are a proud group on and off the field. They will be smarting at the events here three weeks ago and will be determined to right those wrongs.

Of course there is the combative pack and a back-line capable of surprises anywhere on the field. Nick Giles is a clever an outside-half with enough calculating guile to write a novel on the subject.

After a fallow weekend the Quins will be raring to get out of the blocks. If the match were a league game, it would once again be a first versus second encounter. So expect an excellent game.

HISTORICALLY

In the matches between the two clubs since 2008, the Quins lead the series 4-3. During that period Kenfig Hill have smashed, shocked and surprised in extraordinary circumstances at South Parade.

A 0-70 muling was witnessed in 2009. In 2015 they came back from 24-nil down to win and in the first match of the 2015-16, despite the torrential rain which many thought would have suited the Quins it didn’t.

[BURNING] CASTLE TAKES KNIGHT

The last knock-out match between the clubs was again at South Parade and was as tactically enthralling match as any you could ever see. Both defences were absolutely wonderful and it became a chess-like encounter.

It became an all kicks affair, with Kenfig’s discipline giving the Quins chances to build an unassailable lead. A couple of pull backs might have seemed a clever ploy, but with an eagle eyed referee they were ill-advised. Giving Gareth Lewis the opportunities to do what he did best was a bit like signing your own death warrant. Lewis’ wonder welly landed four penalties in a 15-6 win, plus a huge dropped goal.

FURTHER BACK

Prior to 2008, there was a time when Kenfig Hill were just too good for the Quins to play against. One of the biggest achievements for the club was to beat the men of Crofft Coch as equals. Usually Lee Sparrow was enough to commence the panic.

Despite the Quins performance three weeks ago in which a dominant pack performance paved the way for and emphatic win, plus the fact the coal black and blood reds are presently playing a brilliant brand of rugby; the Mules have form against the Maesteg men.

Expect a hard, keen contest where every sinew and every ounce of strength will be expended to make sure of a win.

Nothing on a plate? Neither side will be giving anything away, it will be a fight for every point that’s for sure. As for being meaningless - don’t be daft!