WEST CENTRAL
TONDU ........................... 8 MAESTEG QUINS ....... 24
IF THE Quins came to Tondu expecting a walk in the park, the home side soon dispelled that notion, writes Mike Sully.
Tondu were clearly the sharper side in opening exchanges and will be disappointed that they were unable to make their advantage show on the scoreboard. A penalty from outside half Rhodri Davies put the Quins into the lead before Josh Tatchell slotted one for the home side. There were plenty of dubious refereeing decisions throughout this encounter and Tondu will feel the most aggrieved out of the two sides. There was no further scoring in the first half and the the Quins will feel relieved to be on level terms at 3-3.
The second half could not have started any worse for the home side though when No 8 Michael Owen charged through some poor tackling to put Maesteg Quins into the lead, Davies added the conversion and the visitors were in front much against the run of play. Their second try was a complete fluke midway through the half, a poor drop goal attempt from Rhodri Davies ended up going out wide on the right and luckily for the Quins but devastating for Tondu the ball bounced over the wingers head allowing Jay Ronan in for the try.
Just a minute later the game was put to bed by the Quins when scrum half Ben Davies raced down the left to score in the corner, Davies again adding the extra points. Despite this Tondu never gave up and pressed the Quins right up till the final whistle, they were rewarded with a try for hooker Jake Lewis and continued to press into the dying moments.
Maesteg Quins maintain their unbeaten start to the season but today they were certainly tested and Tondu can take credit for that and their performance will surely give them confidence for the remainder of the season. There is now another six nations break before Tondu make the long journey to Kenfig Hill on Saturday, March 3.