News

Saturday July 24^th 2021

Maesteg Quins 20 – 15 Kenfig Hill

Pre-Season Match

Rain moistened the parched field so it could partially take a ‘blade’ and the previous day’s gale relented a little, as not to spoil the rugby return party. Not that any meaningful pre-season match should be a laissez faire affair. This wasn’t.

Delighted that Kenfig Hill stepped in to fill a fixture void, unlike many a ‘friendly’ prior to the season starting in earnest, this match had a real competitive edge to it. Both teams chomped at the bit and were raring to go. Kenfig Hill were looking for a Championship scalp. Quins were seeking to mould new faces in with the old.

This was a significant fixture for both teams in terms of physicality. Intensity was extremely high for the first fifteen-a-side game in eighteen months. Ferocious tackles were hammered home and at the breakdown, considerable clattering took place.

This was where the problem lay. Contact and attrition seemed the name of the game. While it was understandable because both defences ensured space was at a premium, there were occasions when gaps and mismatches had been created. Particularly in the Quins play these opportunities were ignored, to run at opponents for the umpteenth time, with mismatches and space in wider areas .

Most seasonal openers are error strewn, in thinking and in deed. Compared to the normal four months lay-off, this particular hiatus can be multiplied by four. Consequently, such rustiness can be expected and with defence the easiest aspect of play to re-assemble, attack and adventure will take a little longer.

For the Quins the scrum went well, whoever packed down in the front five. Despite clearly and obviously holding the aces, harsh-to-questionable decisions went against the hosts at the coming together of packs. Scrum superiority was not allowed to supersede. Not that Kenfig Hill were uncompetitive in any way, shape or form at the set piece. Far from it.

Yet the Quins pack will not allow themselves to swagger. They will be working hard in the coming weeks, because at best the line-out was ineffective. The coal black and blood reds regularly committed hara kiri. When reaching promising, hard won positions, they were meekly surrendered as jumpers were missed, poor quality possession was presented to the half-backs and even after winning possession cleanly, oftenf ball was stolen from under Quins’ noses. Kenfig Hill were keen enough, without allowing them the chance to sniff blood.

In saying that the first try came from a driving line-out. When the drive came on, it proved co-ordinated, effective and Dean Ronan scored.

Not all recycling can be quick, especially at a keenly contested breakdown area. So when opportunities to get the ball away at speed arose, it was disappointing such chances weren’t taken.

The Quins have highlighted the many positive attributes of exciting new backs, but clear prospects for attack with ball in wider channels were ignored. Again, this vision and confidence to move the ball requires match minutes together. It’s harder to attack than defend when ring-rusty and this game was no exception.

Another problem was while phase after phase was ground out, when the ball eventually hit midfield, there was a lack of forwards support to clear out rucks, mauls and ensure quick ball was available in the face of a determined and high-quality Mules defence, which knocked back many carriers.

Nevertheless, a number of times Brandon Huntley, Harry Morgan-Grant and Rhys Costain held up defenders and made semi-breaks. Their passing too was accurate and when everything gels, they will prove handfuls.

There were some corking carries. The best of the day came from Akeem Eubank-Anderson who stormed for a full twenty yards with an accompanying attachment of defenders. Eventually grounded, AE-A placed the ball back perfectly.

Josh Dixon replied for Kenfig Hill with a cheeky never-give-up chase for scrappy Quins possession won against the throw, to intercept a flat pass and speed in.

Lewis Evans slipped his namesake Tutt a clever pass. The Quins flanker powered over. Outside-half Evans’ boot was a significant factor in the win, along with his accurate passing and ability to escape capture in tight moments.

Recipient became provider with Tutt showing quick hands when delivering the ball to Brandon Huntley, who exhibited adhesive fingers to dive over. Evans converted.

Opening the second half with bang, Kenfig Hill executed a simple move with clinical excellence that sent wing Aled Davies in at the corner.

A sense of disorder crept into all quarters of the Quins contingent and the Maesteg men were losing their discipline. The second half was turning the Mules’ way and a victory for the Division One team was not out of the question. Another try brought the Mules within two points of their hosts. A fraught five minutes defending their line against a constant Kenfig Hill onslaught brought the Quins to their senses.

At this point the ‘discipline switch’ was flicked and Mules’ restraint slipped a touch and their error count upped a little. Quins could not capitalise due to in presenting quality ball for the backs in a frenetic breakdown contest. Possession was precisely booted away or lost at source.

Eventually Quins found themselves beneath the opponents posts and paying deference to Kenfig Hill, when awarded a penalty Huntley goaled to put five points between the teams. The Mules had to touchdown in order to get a positive result.

Playing the blindside to run down time meant it wasn’t a pretty victory, but the adage of a good team finds a way of winning even when not playing to its potential, is always one to point to at such times.

This was an excellent pre-season encounter. In terms of intensity, competitive edge and the appropriate number of players who were on show, it was the best for a number of decades.

Next week Heol-y-Cyw will be the next tough challenge on their own ground.