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10 September 2019 / Club News

SPECSAVERS - WRU CHALLENGE CUP 1ST ROUND

UNBELIEVEABLE - UNIMAGINABLE - UNFORSEEN - OUT OF THIS WORLD

No one would have believed in the last years of the twentieth century, across the gulf between semi-professional and amateur rugby; vast rugby minds, cool and unsympathetic would never have thought the Quins would play a club universes away from their own experiences. The chances of any great club playing the Quins, were "a million to one," they said.

Those chances of any great club playing the Quins, "were a million to one", because rarely did the Quins reach the latter rounds where major clubs entered the Welsh Cup competition. Secondly, when the knock-out competition was carved up into three different entities, it was an absolute impossibility. Yet through sheer hard work, skill, determination, dedication and downright heart this Saturday - they come... in the shape of one of the greatest names in world rugby – Llanelli.

Some have labelled the forthcoming fixture as the ‘greatest in the Quins’ history’. Nobody can argue. Others may say it is another stitch in the rich fabric of the club’s story. A stitch made out of twenty-four carat gold and the result of an incredible rise through the ranks for the Llynfi men. It is truly unbelievable and every player will be bursting to play some part in the fixture.

Forget everything else in the domestic and world game, the great Llanelli visit South Parade. A squad of Quins players will be lucky enough to play in the match. There’ll be a great many more lucky enough to witness it.

Llanelli. The name conjures up that grey day in 1972 when ‘Y Sosbenni’ (with help from Yr Hen Blwyf in the form of ‘Chico’ and ‘JJ’!) defeated the All Blacks. Twenty years later, the Wallabies were at the wrong end of an inspired Scarlets.

As an international production line for our beloved Wales, 167 players have leapt from Stradey Park to the international stage. Some had the most extra-ordinary effect on the Welsh and world game. These players are not just superb performers, they are extraordinary men. To select just a few whose dignity, poise and down-to-earth nature make them people to admire. In the recent past: Gareth Jenkins, all the Quinnells’, Phil Bennett who recently ventured here to support Felinfoel, Nigel Davies, skipper extraordinaire Ieuan Evans and Stephen Jones; who everyone wants to see succeed in his new role in the Wales set-up.  All international class players, world class men.

Then you enter the Pantheon of legendary, unique personalities whose gentle souls masked their inner ‘Scarlets’ steel. Everyone loved the epitome of Wales - Ray Gravell. Not far behind is a true and loyal servant to Llanelli and Welsh rugby Delme Thomas. Finally, the conqueror of the mighty All Blacks with the Lions, Barbarians and unthinkably club - Carwyn James. Revered the world over, go to any corner of the rugby globe and people will refer to rugby's Merlin. Even in some sleepy corners, such as the Polisine of Rovigo and say “Sono Gallese” and the reply will be ‘Carwyn James’. The second will be Meirion Prosser (the former Neath and Ebbw Vale flanker who followed James at Rovigo).

The Llanelli website states ‘The Golden Years’ for Llanelli RFC. Having produced so many internationals, Lions, beaten major touring sides plus winning the Welsh league title in its various guises thirteen times and lifting the Welsh Challenge Cup fourteen, the question must be asked: when hasn’t Llanelli had a ‘Golden Year?’

The onset of professional rugby has seen a decline in 'perceived success’ beyond the western banks of the Lougher. Last season saw Llanelli overcome triple Championship champions Pontypool in the much-maligned Principality Premiership play-off. Still, the prospect of relegation must have been a sobering experience.

In recent years Llanelli have played Gareth Owen and Nathan Edwards, both have strong Quins connections. This season, of course, they signed Tadgh McGuckin from our club. The Sosbans certainly have got a ‘good one’, the out-half produced many fine performances last term and showed great nerve too when it mattered. We wish him every single ounce of success in the Indigo Premier league. Jacob Lewis (gone but not forgotten) has also made impressive appearances for the Quins.

Maesteg Quins... the greatest aspect of Maesteg Harlequins, every player is at the club to test themselves at the highest level they possibly can – absolutely nothing more. Games such as Saturday’s are the true reward for Quinsmen as they seek to plant a new flag. It is an opportunity their unadulterated commitment truly deserves.

When facing Saturday’s mountainous challenge, there is no time to stare at the peak. It isn't going anywhere and will be facing them on South Parade. Instead the Quins will look at ways to climb that mountain and side by side they'll start their ascent - together. Scaling such heights is gut wrenching, energy sapping and mentally taxing, but none of the former are hard - coming down is.

Having earned the right to compete in the Specsavers WRU Challenge Cup, forty will have worked their socks off and twenty-three will be selected to play their part. Teamwork will be the fuel that pushes the Quins up that mountain, but a pure inner desire to test themselves, take responsibility and strive for more memorable moments in the coal black and blood red is the real spur.

Saturday is a clash of two rugby clubs entire worlds apart. For the Quins - cartref yw cartref er tloted y bo.

Croeso cynnes i Llanelli.

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