Fixture

Springtime in South Wales produces all types of wonders with blooming daffodils and young lambs in abundance.  The Quins pitch was also in mint condition to the eye but yielding underfoot in patches.  The warmest wettest winter ever recorded has tested the (massive) head Groundsman Patrick O’Callaghan skills, he has passed every examination will aplomb and with limited resources managed the field superbly.  His reward was a fantastic display by the “young lambs” and couple of “old goats” that grazed hungrily on the grassy surface.

The displays of the three 18 years old Rhys Edmonds at 9, half back partner David Morley and makeshift centre Conner “Sonny Bill Ginge” Davies were outstanding. Belying their tender years the three covered themselves in glory with mature displays, collectively sparking all the positive play the Quins produced.  Two of the old goats were at the extremities of the team with recent “half century” Andrew Dacey on the tight head, brimming with belly fat and puffing like a café in Amsterdam, he played his part in dominating early scrums.  Jamie Lean over filled the 15 jersey, wearing a scrum cap to keep his head warm with a lack of natural cover, Jamie was lively in attack only getting smashed on a couple of occasions rock solid in defence with Glynneath attackers regularly tripping over him.

Josh Pugh,  who captained the side with Karl Davies resting in work, normally more like a Tulip or too lippy, was like a daffodil standing tall and proud, blossoming with the extra responsibility. Josh who often volunteers to play in the back row, centre, wing or anywhere other than his first calling of the front row actually played as if he was all them positions. Popping up everywhere with rampant running, deft offloading, hitting great angles, timing crisp passes of either hand and losing two against the head. He was this authors man of the match.  Taking his lead from Captain Pugh, the softly spoken Tom Morley also showed up well in the loose carrying strongly, it's rumoured he also side stepped on one occasion but he assured me he stumbled on one of the softer patches of meadow.  He also scrummaged strongly against the OAP he was marking, winning penalties and shunting the Glynneath pack backwards.

The power house lock forwards of Taylor Hanford and Jack Coughlin were like leaping lambs. In the lineout, securing the accurate throwing of Nathen Robins, and pilfering Glynneath ball on regular occasions. The young second rows were slow starters but once the off loading and support play improved were to the fore. Both players sheared turn overs off the opposition and enjoyed the open spaces afforded the Quins.  Taylor also scored to top off a great performance, he needs to improve his response to text messages to be a real force at this level.  Jack Coughlin showed his versatility by having stints in the back row and on the wing, he has great “ten to two” feet and always beats at least one defender with ball in hand.

The back row trio of Guy “shoulder of lamb” Entwistle, Nathen “chop tackle” Robins and Sam “long shank” Richards enjoyed the free range that the front five provided, Guy hassled the opposition and handled the dangerous Glynneath 10 well, on most occasions.  Rusty was indeed a bit rusty from the off, recently imported from his stint in Germany it was good to have him back in the meadow, his strong mauling and tackling was a feature once he warmed to the task, he also supported well and off loaded deftly.  Sam Richards was another forward who shone brightly, fleecing the visitors of possession in the tackle, stripping maul ball, pile driving tackles and smashing would be tacklers aside with his barn storming runs.  He also added to his try tally with a quickly taken tap penalty and strong finish.

Wingers Ben Evans and Jake Price are two different animals, Electric Evans was a live wire showing tremendous pace in attack, always threatening with ball in hand he also chases and tackles well, his tenacity often won the Quins good field position, he scorched in for a great try to top his day off nicely, he will need to improve his kicking game, he’s either got a club foot or Toblerone shaped toes!!! Jake Price is not your classical winger, looking like he’s fattened up for slaughter he enjoys the physical contact, bashing his way through the opposition, given an open field to run in a potential try he was run down by both the defenders  and Aris “broke back mountain” Kolazakis running the line,  he’s fonder of the flocking numbers and nature of the forwards relishing his positional change at half time.  He put in a few bone crunching tackles and mauled aggressively once in the tighter exchanges.

Replacement and debutant Mitch Owen played a massive part in this game, strong running and good hands were often the catalyst for the home team, playing his first game in 4 years he was blowing out of his rear end, but was effective and should be a great asset to his new team.

Will Peake became “Twin Peakes” with his brace of tries, good lines of support and sharp feet almost bagged him an hat trick but some chump decision making denied him this accolade, Will also played is part in marshalling the defence with the Quins line breached only once in this open and rapid flowing game.  The Crown of lamb in this game must go to Dai Morley at 10, scoring 2 tries and kicking 4 conversions, was only part of an all round display of assurance. His tackling is fearless and his hoofing out of hand was accurate in a difficult wind.

Glynneath played a great part of this entertaining affair and miserly defence from the home team ensured the victory, the score did not reflect their endeavours, it was a great effort from mostly young lambs with the odd cut of mutton thrown in.