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Whatever the field whether it’s the Brewery or Newbridge, Saturday’s encounter between inter-borough town rivals will be gripping.

Last season’s meetings were nail-biters. Tight games are won or lost on the tiniest of things. At Newbridge Fields, the events of eleven months ago were more substantial than miniscule.

Quins did more than enough to come away with victory against a typically innovative Athletic. For some unknown reason at the time, the Quins were still trying to find their feet. Perhaps it was a lack of confidence from having lost more often than tasting victory.

Those defeats occasionally occurred under bizarre circumstances that sapped self-assurance, until it was pointed out the Quins had played all the top sides away from home and their time would come. Athletic were and still are one of those top sides and the challenge was set to topple Bridgend’s second club.

A perfectly acceptable try was disallowed. However, there’s no use finger pointing at a referee when a point-blank penalty is missed; an avoidable interception try is handed to opponents and a 17-3 lead is relinquished. All these made life easier for the opposition in a one point match [18-17].

To make matters worse, great rugby man and a friend to both clubs Neil ‘King of the Road’ Minchington declared: ‘The Quins will hammer us today… we’ve got about eight Youth players in the side.’ [However much he protests can’t deny saying it]. He always was rubbish at predictions!

The South Parade game on Grand National day was an absolute corker and a privilege to witness. Table-topping Athletic faced third placed Quins.

Largely the same team, the Quins had rectified their tactical identity crisis and totally transformed. Playing some of the best rugby witnessed in the club’s history, the Athletic were equally as potent and always willing to run. The different was the Quins were able to maintain their continuity and heap ever increasing pressure upon their visitors.

The weather conditions complemented the rugby and bright game was a magnificent spectacle. In the end, Quins claimed their first ever league win over the Athletic. Owen Howe kicking seven goals for an eighteen points haul.

This year Athletic will, as ever be combative. Since their inception in the 1970s they have become a conveyor belt of talent of talent. Many of their former players currently perform in the Championship and Premiership. That’s without the internationals and Lions that have gone through their ranks. They are a club to be respected for their contribution to rugby in Wales.

At present the Athletic have a fifty percent record, winning three of their six games. Five of those seven games have been played in Bridgend and remarkably they have a 1-4 win ratio. Obviously Athletic will want to redress the balance starting this Saturday.

Last week Athletic were fixtureless while the Quins were slugging it out with Pontypool United. So whether the wounded animal will come out blazing is not in doubt. It will be up to the Quins to quell their ever exuberant hosts.

For the Quins there doesn’t seem to be any worries and Lewis Francis boosted the club this week when he transferred from Bridgend. This is not an end to the talented prop’s time at the top league by any means and he will return.

Skipper Steve Williams will make a landmark fiftieth appearance. Actually there is a confession to be made - it will be his fifty-first game because someone forgot to pass on the information… to himself!

A sixth against first encounter and the Bridgend men will certainly be on the lookout to topple the Quins. It’ll be a nervy game as always.