News

Maesteg Harlequins RFC Presentation Night 2019

A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining Presentation Night was held at Maesteg Harlequins RFC to celebrate the 2018-2019 season, the best in the club’s 120 years history.

Seventh spot in the WRU Championship is the highest ever league position the club has ever achieved, despite competing against a large number of semi-professional clubs.

The players were congratulated for their phenomenal effort by club Secretary Alan Thomas, as were all the club’s sponsors, staff, medical support team, committee and army of volunteers, who make Maesteg Quins rugby possible.

Chairman Robert Williams recalled looking at the fixture lists for the previous season thinking it was unbelievable. He then looked at the years and reminded the players that six of the clubs they will play next season will be former Merit Table Clubs. He then had to explain what the Merit Table was to the younger element. Williams went on to explain it had been an entire club effort, but the players had been truly exceptional.

WRU Board Member Chris Morgan stated what the Quins have achieved over the past two decades has been exceptional, 2018-2019 was outstanding as a strictly amateur club playing in a mainly semi-professional league.

Cllrs Lyn and Tom Beedle commented on their delight at watching the Quins both home and away made their Saturday afternoons. The immediate past mayoress pointed to her overwhelming pride of watching the Quins players play for the name of the town in the manner that they did.

Clubman of the Year was awarded to club treasurer Gethin Morris for guiding the club through the process of taking over the playing facilities and finding the funds to improve the clubhouse.

Second-row and captain Steven Davies picked up the 2^nd XV Player of the Year.

Tadgh McGuckin who became increasingly influential as the season wore on was the recipient of the Most Promising Player of the Year.

Player’s Player of the Year went to someone who is now moving towards veteran status but still evergreen Lewis Tutt.

For the first time, those who make the decision could not separate the final two nominations for the Player of the Year and so the award was shared. 2018 recipient, prop Lewis Francis had yet another amazing season. He shared the prize with skipper Steve Williams who has shown once again a complete commitment to the cause. Often playing in the second-row, the flanker produced top drawer performance and sublime performance.

Quins successfully completed their objective of remaining in the Championship and 2019-2020 promises to be another amazing season, competing against some of Welsh rugby’s most prominent, successful and historical names. The first two home fixtures being against former merit table clubs Glamorgan Wanderers and Llanelli. Pontypool, Cross Keys and Neath also feature in a fixture list former Quins could only dream of.

Well attended training sessions are already under way. Anyone wishing to enjoy the Championship challenge or play in a serious, but less competitive environment, on a purely amateur basis – come along and enjoy the Maesteg Quins – South Parade experience.