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Quins -v- Narberth

Two matches. One hundred and sixty minutes just above the foot of Mynydd Pwll-yr-Iwrch are all that remain, before the Quins players and followers can hold up a mirror to the season to reflect on what they have seen.

Whatever the vision, last Saturday saw one of the tensest ends to a match in the club’s history. Young out-half Tadgh McGuckin kicked a goal to win the match and seal Quins’ WRU Championship status. Of all the final moment scores witnessed over the years, McGuckin’s has to be considered the most important for the club… ever!

That said, last week has been and gone. This Saturday, the penultimate fixture against perennial Championship runners-up Narberth, is as big as they come in this division.

Quins have relished taking on the former Merit Table powerhouse of Newbridge, plus being in the presence of historical greatness in Pontypool. Yet victory against the nouveau elite Narberth would be nothing short of remarkable.

The Otters are being challenged every inch of the way for second spot by Quins’ fellow promoted club Ystrad Rhondda. Ystrad play an excellent brand of rugby and have been a pleasure to watch. They have made an excellent impression on the league. Quins want to finish in the season in the highest possible position, so must emulate the Rhondda men by defeating the Pembrokeshire outfit at South Parade.

Narberth have assembled a strong squad, with lots of national and regional age grade experience, plus Principality Premier performers. They are Pembrokeshire’s leading club, they have held the Pembrokeshire Cup for two seasons and as part of the Scarlets region, doing a wonderful job of supporting the west Wales set-up.

Narberth, like many other clubs, have a a volunteer army to ensure they are a club to aspire to play for, proudly represent Pembrokeshire and present a great image of the club with wonderful hospitality afforded to all who venture there.

It will be the Otters’ final fixture of the season. They will be determined to cement their second spot yet again, plus end 2018-2019 on a high. Central to their plans are Jack Price who leads the try-scoring table with eleven touchdowns. Price is the beneficiary of the fine continuity play produced by his team, that breaks opponents down so effectively for him to use his strength and pace to burst through.

Narberth’s points machine Nick Gale has recovered from a bad injury and will be ready to resume duties, taking over his able replacement in Ianto Griffiths. Griffiths was given the opportunities to put the boot into the Quins and he did just that, kicking eleven points.

In the pack the top performers are No. 8 Richie Rees who is making the most of the ball provided by his front five. Particular attention at the scrum-face must be given to Tom Kaijaks.

A re-jigged Quins are delighted to welcome back Rhydian Jenkins to the coal black and blood red. In his last appearance, the hooker scored a hat-trick.

Since he last played for us, Jenkins has not only played in the Principality Premier for Cross Keys, but the ‘Tir Iarll Tenor’ has wowed audiences far and wide. Including an absolutely magnificent achievement in being awarded the Cerdd Dant title at the 2018 National Eisteddfod.

Llongyfarchiadau Rhydian. Mae pawb yn y Cwins yn hynod falch o'ch cyflawniad gwych.

‘What the Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away’. A whole raft of enforced changes will make little difference. The Quins are well used to the weekly adjustments and whoever comes in will, as always, stand up to be counted.

Quins felt they missed a trick a few weeks ago. Although leaving the Lloyd Lewis Ground with a losing bonus point, the squad stuck in until the very end and created a few chances to give themselves something better. It was not a perfect performance, but the dogged determination to overcome every obstacle thrown at them which included the loss of increasingly influential out-half McGuckin. Everyone without exception filled in, everyone redoubled their efforts, everyone gave their all. Nobody could ask for more.

More of the same is certainly be needed this Saturday. Of utmost importance is not to rest on the laurels of last week’s victory and sealing Championship status. This Quins squad enjoys setting new standards historically and for its future self. They are a remarkable self-motivated set.

With this the penultimate fixture it would be brilliant to achieve, as far as the historic and current quality of opponents is concerned, what would be the best win of the season – in whatever shape or form.

Quins love playing beneath the gaze of Pwll-yr-Iwrch peak and where Quinsmen and mountain meet – great things happen.

Ymlaen y Cwins,