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Saturday, October, 21st, 2017.

Llanharan II 0-8 Maesteg Quins II

MGDRU

STORMBUSTERS

When the rain pours down and the Firsts’ game is off, where you gonna go? Llanharan. For a second time rain curtailed Quins' first team fixture but Llanharan’s Welfare Field remained playable for a second XV match to take place.

Given the conditions and the ball being like a bar of finest carbolic, it was going to be a game of few chances.

QUALITY PLAY AGAINST THE WIND

Quins had first use of storm Brian’s blast, but neither side used the wailing gale to its full prospective power. The reason for this was both sides played brilliantly controlled rugby against squall.

SOLID DEFENCE

Llanharan broke from half-way and got into the Quins twenty-five. Desperate defending kept out the hosts, but a high tackle gave the Dairymen a chance to take the lead. Such was the wind’s strength they chose a scrum and launched an attack.

Pinned in their twenty-five, the Quins managed to frequently overturn possession, which was a telling factor in the final result. On this occasion they snatched the ball and Ieuan Evans started to run from his own dead ball line. Having created space on the outside, his pass was delayed a little too long and it was slightly forward, giving Llanharan a dangerous scrum five, but the Quins defence held firm.

QUINS BREAKOUT

A fine Nick Flay box kick, soon followed by a Ieuan Evans touch-finder pushed Llanharan back into their twenty-five. This concerted period of pressure continued when the Quins kicked a penalty to touch, but ended with one of many handling errors.

Still Llanharan were not where they would have wanted to be playing the game. Their impressive No. 8, nine and outside-half axis were doing all they could to conjure up some magic.

KING'S PEACH

Unable to break the stranglehold, out of desperation Llanharan conceded a penalty on half-way. With half-time approaching, Siôn King slapped the ball between the posts.

WOULD THE TIDE TURN?

How would Llanharan use the wind and how would the Quins defend their three points lead against it were the big questions.

MINES SWEEPS

Early in the second period the Quins took the game by the scruff of the neck. Exceptional patience and team work played a huge part. The visitors edged their way up-field and when awarded a penalty, Peter Jenkins tapped and was away. A three man Llanharan wall managed to halt Jenkins but not after he had made extra vital yards towards the home goal-line. Both sides were rummaging and clamouring for possession. In came Josh Mines sweeping up the ball to dot it down for a try.

POSITIVE POSSESSION PLAY

From the kick-off the Quins were hemmed into their own half. Even so, they kept possession despite being pushed back. In keeping the ball so expertly, the Dairymen conceded penalties that allowed the Quins to boot the ball to touch rather than use excessive energy.

SUPERB LINE-OUT PLAY

Kicking to touch would have proven fruitless if the line-out had malfunctioned. It did nothing of the sort. The Maesteg men’s line-out display was impeccable despite the challenging wind. Wonderful throwing-in, was matched by sound tactical thinking and the expert timing of jumpers, lifters and thrower. Aled Evans being the main source of line-out possession.

PASSING EXHIBITION

Despite destructive Dairymen defending and a real comedy of errors, the Quins bravely kept the ball in hand. Nick Flay was at the forefront of this. Whether popping to props and locks or sending out passes that defied the wind to allow backs to run onto the ball, it proved a passing masterclass.

One such move saw the ball flow across the line to release the wing. Josh Mines was one of the few players who could break through tackles. One of his breaks allowed the Quins to take a decisive hold on the game as phase after phase was played out in the Llanharan twenty-five. This period of perfect possession play effectively sealed the win.

FINAL THROWS

Despite winning a Llanharan throw, Quins were fortunate to escape unscathed when nobody was willing to fall on the ball as the hosts hacked through and watched the ball just go dead.

The drop-out that followed lacked tactical thinking, yet as always, the Quins regrouped to hold out for a solid win. Well done to both teams for defying the elements... again!

Next week the Quins take on Pontypool United at home in the SWALEC Plate second round.