Fixture

Aberavon Quins  16 Brynaman 11

Despite a promising early break by full back Steff Duggan it was the homesters who seized the early initiative with a well taken penalty for a 3-0 lead. Although the Greens appeared to have the upper hand in broken play, a somewhat dubious scrum infringement gave the hosts the opportunity to double their advantage with a second penalty at 6-0. From the next restart a deep kick by Bryn was swiftly returned with interest by the Quins full back.  A flawed decision by Bryn not to gather this kick before it landed backfired spectacularly as the diagonal bounce resulted in the home side regaining possession and racing clear for an opportunist try. With the conversion under the posts inevitably Bryn found themselves trailing 13-0 half way through the first half.  A determined break by outside half Craig Jones minutes later saw the Player Coach power through the Quins first line of defence.  With flanker Clive Llewelyn as ever on hand to take the offload, Quins were forced to concede a penalty for slowing the ball at the ruck. Prolific scrum half Dafydd Jones slotted comfortably as Bryn finally got off the mark at 13-3. Another promising break involving right wing Josh Ferriman and full back Duggan looked to have created a first try scoring opportunity but with half time beckoning the home side somehow or other managed to hold out under severe pressure. Bryn started the second period far brighter and centre Kieron Bennett looked odds on to score on the wide left but for a superb last ditch tackle. However in doing so the home side’s scrambling defence overstepped the mark and conceded a penalty which surely warranted a far greater sanction. Dafydd Jones’ second successful penalty at 13-6 being scant reward for what had been a blatant ‘red zone’ offence. With Bryn now looking far more dangerous going forward a superbly weighted kick by Craig Jones was gathered skilfully by Kieron Bennett at full tilt. Having drawn the last defender a soft pass to wing Owain Sullivan saw Bryn’s young flyer scorch home for his maiden 1^st XV try.  With Dafydd Jones’ touchline conversion missing narrowly Bryn trailed 13-11 with twenty minutes remaining. Disappointingly however a rare Quins attack resulted in Bryn being penalised somewhat harshly for not retreating ten metres. Against the run of play the homesters successfully landed the penalty to ease further ahead at 16-11. As time ebbed away Bryn pounded away at the Quins line frantically in search of the defining score. Bryn number 8 Gethin Bugler and second row Daniel Page both went agonisingly close as the seconds ticked away but frustratingly the stubborn Quins defence just about managed to hold out.