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In the newly formatted WRU Plate competition the Quins accounted for the

Celts on a sloping pitch with a stiff breeze blowing.

The Quins started brightly with some typical charges from blind side flanker

MacLachlan and some strong running from Dacey in the centre. Celtic

appeared to have the upper hand in the scrums and were smarter in the tackle

area early on where turn over ball allowed them to use the wind and slope to

probe deeply into Quin’s territory. A strong forward surge saw Celtic take the

lead when a maul led to a try that was converted. Quins full back, Callum

Handford was rock steady under the high ball and hardly put a foot wrong

throughout the match

Under pressure the Quins defended well and open side flanker James Lewis

stood out in a superb debut and the eighteen-year-old looks to be a great

acquisition for the club.

Further use of the wind and slope continued to rock the Quins and Celtic

added a penalty to go ten points up. Although in the lead the Celts pack was

noticeably slowing up and the speedy Quins backs took play up field and Ryan

Pugh slotted a penalty to cut the deficit and take his career total past the 600

mark

On the stroke of half time a Quins attack from their own line faltered on half

way and the Celts took advantage with a spectacular try; the conversion failed

but a penalty was added to put the home side 18-3 up at the break.

With the advantages of wind and slope with them the fitter Quins swarmed to

the attack and O’Callaghan grabbed a try after strong running from Dacey,

Pugh converted. O’Callaghan crowned a five-star performance with a second

try improved by Pugh. The introduction of Dan Morgan helped to steady the

scrums allowing Edmunds to give fly-half Pugh good ball and he combined well

with his threequarters. Craig Cox coming out of retirement, took his club tally

of tries to 72 when he finished a maul beneath the posts. Ryan Pugh converted

and ensured victory with a penalty goal but it was Celtic who earned a losing

bonus with an injury time penalty goal in their first visit to Quin’s territory in

the second half.

Next Week the Quins host Heol y Cyw and if they continue to serve up the

attacking flair shown at Maesteg, spectators will be in for a treat.