Fixture

Saturday January 11^th 2020

Maesteg Quins 3 – 45 Bargoed

Specsavers-WRU Championship

In the real world, for every fun weekend you have to have a Monday morning. For imbibing too much to the sound of chinking glasses of friendship, you have a hangover. To enjoy memorable wins at Championship level, considering the circumstances under which the Quins play, defeat plays a part. 

Subsequently, there was no shame in being overwhelmed by an in-form, well-drilled Bargoed who made their scores with the consistency of a Swiss watch. Quins will be measured by how they react to this defeat at the hands of the only title contender to Pontypool.

The Bulls started well in difficult conditions. Early pressure and a number of close range attacks saw scrum-half Huw Rees snipe around the edge of a ruck and score under the posts. Steffan Jones converted to make it 7-0.

Quins bounced back. Poor visiting discipline saw them concede several penalties. The hosts got into the twenty-five and kicked a Tadgh McGuckin penalty to make.

Bargoed used the wind to gain advantage through their kicking game and after another series of forward drives, prop Kieron Brown burrowed over. Jones converted to make it 14-3 after the first quarter.

The Blues started to dominate territory and possession. When a prolonged period of possession play resulted in a Quins yellow card, Bargoed took advantage with a driving line out for Adam Powell to go over for a third try. Jones again converted.

The bonus point was secured on the stroke of half time. Huw Rees scoring his second try wide out to make it 26-3 at half time.

Starting the second half with a bang, Bargoed looked to play more expansively against the wind and were rewarded with Calum Jones crossing for a try wide out.

Bargoed were now playing with real ambition and after good approach work, Jordan Howells was next to profit with a well-constructed try. Jones converted. At this point Mike Owen could be heard to urge his team-mates on by demanding they "take the knocks on the chin."

"Which one Mike?" came the reply.

Quins defended manfully and several attacks were halted. Judging by the pace shown by Evan Williams, the debutant full-back must be on an athletics scholarship in the USA as he came out of nowhere to tackle the visiting wing who must have thought he was add his name to the scoresheet, even the spectators were caught by surprise.

Permit player Ethan Smith became the second player with a South Gower connection to turn out for the Quins and joined in with the whole hearted effort, acquitting himself manfully.

The final score by replacement wing Adam Jones who cut inside to score. Jones converted to make it 45-3. However the Quins didn’t give in and nearly scored at the end after replacement Dan James took a quick tap on half-way and was felled just short of the line

It is a real shame there are not two clubs promoted from the Championship. Bargoed are an exceptional team on and off the field. 

Results against such high flyers are not going to affect the Quins league position. The coming weeks will. Next Saturday Quins travel to a resurgent Cross Keys who are on their heels following a run of very good recent results. If you follow the Quins - Be There!