If we can’t watch rugby, then let the rugby return to us via memories of yester seasons. Hopefully people will reminisce and relive with others past exploits, as memories are given a slight nudge.
Across the seasons September 5th has not been a kind date to Maesteg Quins. In some cases the opponents have been stern and victories against English rugby giants second string Wasps Vandals and Maesteg RFC in their pomp were unlikely dreams.
So lets go back…
2015-2016 Ystalyfera 20 – 17 Maesteg Quins SWALEC Division One
There is no better place to assess the mettle of new combinations than Ystalyfera. Always combative, direct and abrasive, every point scored, line-out won, scrum victory and tackle, illegal or otherwise against ‘Y’fera’ is taken as a personal affront. Not just by the team but the whole village - and don’t they let you know it!
Basic errors handed hard won possession back to Ystalyfera. Despite holding out inches from their line, the Quins conceded a penalty which home outside half Gareth James converted.
Soon after, livewire hooker Daniel Williams picked up at an attacking ruck and spotted there was nobody in front of him. His sprint to the line was unimpeded and the Swansea valley club were eight – nil up.
After winning possession in their twenty-five, Ystalyfera ran back at the Quins. A poor pass on half-way was scooped up by Geraint Evans who sped downfield. Evans passed inside to Rhodri Thomas who kept his wits about him even when tackled, to pop a perfect pass from the ground to skipper Steve Williams who supported excellently to score near the posts. Joe Symmons converted.
Good rucking and slick hands allowed Ryan Lovett to embark on one of his many strong runs. Lewis Tutt showed excellent hands that kept up the momentum of the move. Rhodri Thomas again showed his eye for a gap and burst through the defensive lines. Thomas released debutant Lewis Nolan who knew his way to the line, changing his angle well to evade the covering defenders and score. Symmons kicked the conversion and added a penalty to give the Quins a 17-8 half-time lead.
The omens looked good for the Quins when straight from the restart, Steve Williams made a thirty yards run. Two penalty attempts were well short of their mark.
From this point on, despite the Quins best efforts, Ystalyfera gradually took control using their insider knowledge of the slope to great effect.
Quins were penalised for wheeling their own scrum. The driving maul from the line-out that followed proved impossible to stop and the converted try brought Ystalyfera seven points closer to the Quins total.
The Quins defence was sucked in and when the ball was sent wide, full-back Myers scored at the corner despite the wonderful effort by Ryan Lovett to cover.
Ystalyfera missed a point blank penalty to extend their lead but pressed strongly for a bonus point try. Despite the constant pressure and the searing, energy sapping heat, the Quins held firm even when reduced to thirteen men.
Ryan Lovett impressed in both attack and defence. As the game wore on Tristan Jones began to assert himself, as did the rest of the front row. Joe Symmons and Tom Bluck formed a great half-back partnership, while the back five worked tirelessly. Lewis Tutt outstanding in his efforts as was Steve Williams and Aled Evans in the boiler house.
15. Rhodri Thomas 14. Geraint Evans 13. Ryan Lovett 12. Lee Bevan 11. Kevin Nolan (T) 10. Tom Bluck 9. Joe Symmons (2C PG)
1. Tristran Jones 2. Jay Ronan 3. Mark Watson 4. Steve Williams (c) (T) 5. Aled Evans 6. Sean Cleary 8. Rhodri Bwye 7. Lewis Tutt
16. Owain Roberts for T. Bluck 17. Ioan Williams for T. Jones 18. Nathan Smith for S. Cleary 19. Alex Griffiths for L. Bevan
2009-2010 Bryncoch 32 – 18 Maesteg Quins WRU Div 3 SW
Omens for the season ahead looked bleak when a Quins, relegated from Division Two, went down at the Sports Ground to a newly promoted Bryncoch.
Darren Johnson answered a bit of a propping crisis to come on his 249th and final match for the club.
1992 – 1993 Wick 35 – 20 Maesteg Quins
This result against junior union outfit Wick was the signal that this would not be a successful season on the field. Despite the seaside village having recruited heavily over the previous two seasons, Quins should still have put up a better performance, but were lethargic and sluggish throughout.
15. Mark Jukes (C P) 14. John Tidball (T) 13. Jason Page 12. Andrew Rossiter 11. Mark Powys 10. Ryan John 9. Darren Williams
1. Andrew Kidger 2. Shane Williams 3. Dai Berry 4. Mark Collett 5. Lester Jones 6. Charles Ruffell (c) 8. Lyn Davies (2T)7. Peter Jenkins
16. Robert Williams for R. John 17. Dennis Brennan 18. Phil Pratt
1990 – 1991 (Wed) Maesteg 30 – 6 Maesteg Quins
The tough start to the season was continued with a hastily convened fixture against Maesteg, who wanted a number of matches under their belt in order to iron out some problems.
Two Mike Jones penalties were all the Quins could muster, unable to offer any real resistance as they were beaten without being humiliated.
15. Mike Jones (2PG) 14. John Tidball 13. Jonathon Vincent 12. Wayne Whelan 11. Mark Page 10. PG Evans 9. Lloyd Paget
1. Dai Berry 2. Shane Williams 3. Lee Sparrow 4. David Pzcencynj 5. Lester Jones 6. Clive Thomas 8. Gary Dawkins (c) 7. Peter Jenkins
Replacement
16. Hayden Searle for S. Williams
1995-1996 Bryncethin 7-5 Maesteg Quins
15. Peter G. Evans 14. John Tidball 13. Andrew Evans (T) 12. Andrew Rossiter 11. Lee 'Newt' Jones 10. Andrew Lewis 9. Darren Phelps
1. Andrew Kidger 2. Shane Williams 3. Gareth Bowen 4. Ryan David 5. Derek Adams 6. Peter Jenkins 8. Larry Davies (c) 7. Simon Lyons
Replacements
16. Lindon Jenkins for Shane Williams 17. Paul Edwards 18. Robin Bevan
1987-1988 Wasps Vandals 54 – 0 Maesteg Quins
A youthful team travelled to Sudbury with four players just out or barely out of playing Youth rugby. Then there was the biggest ‘kid’ of them all, Terry Whelan, who at forty-two upped the average age just a touch.
15. Derek Richards 14. David Phillips 13. Lyndon Philip 12. Wayne Whelan 11. John Tidball 10. Andrew James 9. Geraint Jones
1. Andrew Kidger 2. David Jenkins 3. Steve Cody 4. David Pzcencynj 5. Terry Whelan 6. Steve Gentle 8. Gary Dawkins (c) 7. Peter Jenkins
1987-1988 Quins II 11 - 9 Porth II
15. Illtyd ap Dafydd (PG) 14. David Thomas 13. Terry Halfyard 12. Greg Hughes 11. S. Davies 10. Andrew Lewis (T) 9. Alun Richards (T)
1. Wayne Thomas 2. Phillip Butler 3. Hayden Searle 4. Terry Adams 5. Dennis Brennan 6. Robert Williams (c) 8. Lester Jones 7. Robert Walters
1979-1980 Heol y Cyw 16 – 18 Maesteg Quins
This was a good mid-week away win against the ‘Cockerels’. For those current players who attended Archbishop McGrath Comprehensive, that’s Mr. Phillips Science partnering a real ‘local legend’ Ralph ‘Nipper’ Turner in the centre.
It was a special occasion for full-back Phil Jones who ran out for his 200th match.
15. Phillip Jones 14. Robert Williams 13. Ralph Turner 12. John Phillips 11. P. Morgan 10. Peter G. Evans (P C) 9. Peter Evans (T)
1. Alan Hill 2. Terry Thomas 3. Hayden Searle 4. Keith Hood 5. L. Coles 6. Jan Raznick 8. Ashley Davies (3PG) 7. Alan James (c)
1959- 1960 Bryncethin 6-6 Tir Iarll Quins
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