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Saturday, December, 4^th, 2021.

Ystrad Rhondda 26 – 19 Maesteg Quins

Admiral-WRU Championship

In a pulsating game during which both teams created several chances, Ystrad Rhondda were slightly more efficient which allowed them to take the spoils ahead of Maesteg Quins.

Playing down the Gelligaled Park slope, Quins were first to affect an opening. A perfectly executed Tadgh McGuckin kick over the heads of the Ystrad defence dropped and bounced perfectly for Geraint Evans. Running onto the ball, the winger didn’t quite jink inside the final defender at enough of an angle. Tackled, the hosts forced a penalty.

Quins lost their first line-out and a poor tackle attempt let Ystrad slip through. Kurtis Williams’ won the race in the chip and chase to open the scoring. Rhys Truelove converted.

Great continuity play as the referee gave advantage for tackling a Quins player without the ball in midfield, saw the visitors go left then right to put Owen Howe in at the corner foe an unconverted try.

In true Gareth Davies style, Dylan Morgan intercepted a pass from a ruck between the Ystrad half-backs and raced forty yards to put the Quins ahead [pictured]. Owen Howe added the extras.

Both midfields were giving each other a torrid time with some elusive breaks. Callum Powell who was a stand-out player in attack, carved open a space. A score seemed on when the ball was shifted wide, until outside players were ignored in favour of taking contact.

A Ystrad move broke down and Powell gave chase to a Dean Ronan fly hack. The only thing to beat the flying centre was the dead-ball line.

This was a period of Quins dominance that needed to be capitalised upon. Nathan Ace broke away from a potent driving maul on his own ten yards line. Transferring to Matthew Tidball, the flanker showed his paces and intelligence to pass to support. Making life more difficult than it should be by making a back of the hand pass instead of a two-handed delivery slowed the momentum. It slowed the attacker who had to adjust to gather the ball. From the ruck a knock-on ended what was a promising attack.

Varying the attacking play, a grubber kick went loose feet from the Ystrad line. Callum Powell was again on the ball like a playful hound, but the bobbling ball caused a slight knock-on before grounding under the posts.

Ryan Jones at number eight played his best starting game, looking assured and contributing in all facets of the game.

Even though the creativity shown was highly enjoyable, not taking chances was always going to come back and bite the Quins and close to half-time - it did. This time Ystrad put in a grubber and it wasn’t dealt with. The loose ball was picked up and dotted down by Cole Morgan. Truelove converted

Quins spurned a kick at goal in favour of a kick to touch and the decision, although brave, proved fruitless.

Dylan Morgan showed his paces, chipped ahead, only for Ystrad to re-group put the ball out of play and go in at half-time 14-12 ahead.

A difficult, swirling wind meant both Truelove and then Howe missed shots at goal.

The tide turned when Truelove’s 50-20 kick gave the Rhondda men an attacking line-out opportunity. An Ystrad scrum was awarded when their driving maul was halted. Hastily getting the ball to the centres, Ystrad’s composure allowed them to capitalise on their break and scrum-half Jack Foulkes dived under the posts, with Truelove converting.

Breaking through again, Ystrad’s clinical efficiency was again displayed when Kurtis Williams found himself in at the corner to extend the hosts lead by two scores.

Left with a mountain to climb, nonetheless the Quins set about their task. Ystrad were beginning to concede penalties giving the visitors key field positions from which to launch attacks. The first of which was taken when a rolling maul was driven over the line, with Mike Owen credited with the score and Howe majorized.

Needing one more converted score to snatch a draw, inaccuracies now blighted the Quins efforts. Passes went slightly wayward, handling errors occurred and the set-piece faltered, just when something more accurate was required.

Held up short of the try-line an attacking scrum surrendered possession. An attacking line-out throw went astray, but still the Quins created.

Lloyd Freeman is making increasingly influential contributions and in chasing a ball through, his fly-hack caused mayhem. Replacement Ryan George dribbled to the line only for the ball to elude his outstretched arm and cross over the dead-ball line.

Exhibiting such variation and creativity augurs well for the Quins. When matched by executing the simple – simply and chances are taken, the prospect is exciting.

Next week Championship title candidates Bedwas visit South Parade.