Fixture

Saturday September 14th 2019

Maesteg Quins 13 - 33 Llanelli

Specsavers Welsh Challenge Cup

Quins were not to inflict a Cup upset upon the Indigo Premier basement club Llanelli, as the visiting three-quarter quality and former Quins out-half Tadgh McGuckin created a Cup collapse for the hosts. It was predicted that the young outside half would be seen making significantly higher individual scores in future seasons at South Parade. Unfortunately in this case he did so for the opposition.  Not that it was a bad day or devastating result, indeed there was a great deal to be be proud of for the Maesteg club.

After a competitive early bout of sparring, Quins played into Llanelli's hands and the visitors went into a 10-nil lead. Tadgh McGuckin kicking a penalty and converting a very well created try by Rhydian Williams.

Matthew Harris kicked a penalty to cut the deficit and another score for the Quins would have put the cat amongst the pigeons. Yet three-quarter trickery and quick recycling put McGuckin over the line.

For the first time the Quins had a consolidated period of possession play together. With penalty advantage being played, Matthew Harris dropped a goal. Both kickers hit the uprights with goal attempts but the score remained 6-15 at half-time.

The first score of the second half would be vital and it went to Llanelli. Early second period scores are becoming something of a problem for the Quins and need to be rectified for the remaining 24 games of the league programme. Llanelli kicked three goals to take a commanding 6-21 lead, yet the Quins fought on.

A period of parity was played out then, for once, everything clicked together for the Quins. Gaining territory in the Llanelli twenty-five from a good line-out win, Lee Ronan glided and then powered through the visiting defence for a try which Harris converted.

Another score for the Quins may have put the Scarlets on the back foot, but again it was the west Walians who crossed the line and it was McGuckin who scored. 

It was pleasing to see the unloaded replacements effectively slip into proceedings and make good cameo roles. Then in the last move of the match visiting skipper Nathan Hart scored under the posts and Tom Williams added the extras.

Llanelli were particularly appreciative of the traditional post match reception they received and coupled with the brave exhibition of its players, all in all it was a good day for the Quins.