WEST CENTRAL
ABERAVON QUINS ..... 39 TONDU ......................... 27
ABERAVON Quins began this game as if they meant business in conditions that made it uncertain if it would even go ahead, writes Mike Sully.
A clever kick ahead by outside half Foard Cooksley set up winger Rory Hinchcliffe for the opening try after only two minutes, centre Lewis Cronin adding the extra points.
Josh Tatchell then kicked a penalty for the visitors before a clever break from scrum half Gareth Lindenburn sent outside half Paul Smithson over under the posts.
A sensational move then produced the try of the match for Tondu when a Tatchell break saw Matthew Murphy and Aled Jones involved before Tatchell himself finished the move and added the conversion (7-17) and it was looking good for the visitors. But the Quins were not going to be denied and reduced the deficit with a try for scrum half Nathan Flynn, Cronin added the conversion and a penalty to level the scores before right wing Jordan Condon scored to give the home side a 24-20 half-time lead.
The Quins struck again early in the second half when Cooksley went over for a try before a five metre scrum saw Matthew Morgan claim a push over try for the waterwheelers (29-27) and the game looked there for the taking for Tondu.
Unfortunately the Quins had other ideas scoring a further try through Condon which Cronin duely converted and also added a penalty to give his side a deserved victory on a night that really wasn’t made for fluent rugby.
Tondu play their final game away to Maesteg Quins on Wednesday, May 9 but don’t forget the Enoch Lewis Cup Final between Tondu 2nds and Heol y Cyw 2nds at Llanharan on Saturday, May 5, kick-off 2.30pm.