News

With just three weeks to go before the first of three pre-season fixtures to lead the Quins into their season proper, perhaps it’s time to look at these forthcoming fixtures.

All the matches are away.

Llanharan RFC Saturday - Saturday 17^th August.

We last visited Llanharan in 2014-2015 for a pre-season fixture and were unceremoniously dashed. Quins were competing in Division Two and finished the campaign in fifth spot. The Dairymen were in the Championship and ended the season just above the relegation zone.

Suffering three relegations in four seasons Llanharan are now plying their trade in Division 3A East Central. While the Quins are now in the Championship!

Clubs like Llanharan beat adversity each time, every time and are looking to get back to the winning ways their history and character demands.

Glyncorrwg RFC (Rhodri Roberts Memorial Cup) - Saturday 24^th August

‘Corrwg had an excellent season last year, finishing runners-up in Division 3B West Central. Only one team was promoted and the Afan valley club fell just four points short, one win, of winning the league and promotion.

Perhaps Glyncorrwg will achieve their promotion aim this year, but with Bryncethin on fire towards the end of 2018-2019 plus a resurgent Maesteg in the same division, it will be a highly competitive division and one to keep an eye out for in the title race.

It is of course a day for reflection as the clubs will be competing for the Rhodri Roberts Memorial Cup, when the man should be on the park.

Still, post-match we can all raise a glass to the memory of the powerhouse Grashy.

Maesteg RFC – Wednesday 28th August

After promotion last season, Maesteg want to keep the feel good factor momentum running. A number of players have joined the Old Parish, with former Quins; Swansea; Tata; Aberafan and Pontrhydyfen lock replacing Paul Clapham as coach.

This promises to be a lively fixture to work off the Bank Holiday excesses of the 25^th and 26^th.

Bridgend RFC - Friday 30^th August

This fixture will take place on Friday.

Games at the Brewery Field used to end happily for the Quins, but the 2017-2018 Silver Ball Final loss took the shine away a little, as did the previous pre-season visit to play the Ravens where things got rather messy.

Having survived the Principality Premiership precipice last season with a string of eye-catching results, Bridgend will be looking to impress this season with a change of coaches and greater links with the Ospreys.

Of course, two Ravens need no introduction the Quins. Their skipper Nathan Edwards has turned out for the club on a handful of vital occasions in the recent past and turned on the style every time. Then there is the ‘Howe-itzer’ Owen Howe, whose boot made several grown men cry when turning out for the Quins last season, before answering the Bridgend bugle call and booting the Ravens to Premiership survival.

It promises to be an interesting selection of matches.