Fixture

Aberavon Quins Development  40  Waunarllydd Seconds 31

With the Christmas holidays upon us and the pantomime season started this was an extravaganza of phenomenally entertaining rugby served up on the home stage of the “Band of Brothers”,  with unavailabilities and disappearing acts the cast of this production was filled with a couple of understudies who performed with much aplomb.

The Quins were driven by their very own Prince Charming, scrum half Marcus David controlled his pack like a circus ringmaster, he was a constant thorn in the side of the Waun team. Scoring two tries, constantly threatening around the breakdown and pulling off last ditch tackles ensured his man of the match status. His half back partner Kristian “Puss in Boots” Roberts,  also crossed the tryline and smashed over 5 conversions.  He kicked and kicked and kicked the golden egg long distances with and without the wind. The two centres, Shaun Ford and Harley Evans, danced like two Cinderella’s’  in glass slippers and also defended against bigger opponents with courage and aggression.

Jamie “Goldilocks” Gibbs was rock solid in defence and took a lot of running around, his growing stature is beginning to show with both performance and chins. He also scored a smart try showing good feet throwing a smart dummy.

The two wingers, Ben”Sleeping Beauty” Evans and Ponty permit player Mathew “Little Red Riding Hood”Hooper were busy chasing kick after kick from Puss in Boots, but found their paths to the tryline paved with gold, Ben scoring from a smart cross kick from Sam Richards but Mathew bizarrely throwing the ball behind him in the process of diving over the line, this resulted in Waun going the length of the field passing through wrapping paper thin defence with Team Manager Jamie “Mother Goose”Morgan shouting Olay with each attempt at a tackle.

The forwards supplied the Golden egg in abundance but the blight of passive scrum lays heavy over the game.  The front row of Jordan Hunt, Josh Pugh and Andrew Dacey were like the largest pantomime horse ever, clip clopping around the field. Un athletic, dis jointed, with very little dexterity. All had bright moments Josh actually listened to the referee once and didn’t moan, Jordan put in one huge hit that he couldn’t avoid and Dacey supplying a sublime dummy, or show and go, that surprised not only himself but his supporting team mates, all of whom were falling about laughing therefore missing a try scoring opportunity.

The second row of James “muscular beanstalk” Edmonds and Mother Goose el capitano Karl Davies enjoyed the passive set piece enabling them to show up, occasionally, in the loose, fine mauling by both enabled the home cast vital turn over ball.  Finally the “three bears” of back row Sam “papa bear” Richards was the outstanding contributor up front, main ball carrier, high up the tackle count list and target of most lineout throws. Corey “mama bear” Bradley goes about his business in a quiet manner but never shirks or misses tackles, foraged like a truffle pig on the ground and was vital in turning over the ball. Open side Billy “baby bear” Rowland is a great example to some of the lesser committed often ignorant local boys, studying and living in Cardiff, he catches a train to Port Talbot and often walks to the ground, always replies to texts or phone calls, he has no arrogance and is my favourite Englishman, an excellent addition to the “Band of Brothers”.

The referee played his part and did not give many pedantry decisions. Waun to their credit played with 14 players and were good value opponents scoring four tries, the Development needs a surge of enthusiasm from bit part players and with the squad numbers we possess should not rely on old has beens and permitted players.  So in conclusion if the Fairy Godmother grants me three wishes here goes.

1. All players reply to all communications without constant cajoling.

2. A pint of Lager that refills and never empties

3. Paddy earning the right to wear the player tie.