Ammanford prove a tough nut to crack for the Quins

MAESTEG QUINS ........ 35 AMMANFORD ............. 10

THIS couldn’t have been the Ammanford that shipped 90 points last weekend. Oozing confidence, straight from the kick-off Ammanford ran out of their 22 and did so on every occasion they took possession.

Unable to get an early foothold, the Quins conceded an inane penalty. Ammanford took it quick- ly and with the Quins in disarray, a three-on-one wasn’t capitalised upon as they knocked-on with the line at their mercy.

Strong running and continuity pressurised Ammanford until they snapped. Owen Howe kicked a long range penalty.

Ammanford broke the defence and made no mistake, putting the ball through the hands to send full back Craig Morris over. Howe sent a “hail Mary” into the ionosphere. Uncollected, the ball bounced about to catch a visitor offside. Howe kicked another long shot. Lloyd Bradley ripped the ball and popped to Geraint Watkins. The scrum half had used his immense strength and determination to turn poor ball into quality ball.

Halted, Gavin Burridge was on hand. Watkins had the skill and awareness to pop possession to the galloping loose-head to run under the posts. If the Quins were to exert maximum pressure on fellow title protagonists, they needed a bonus-point. Yet try scoring opportunities were minimal.

Attempting to run out of their 22, Quins were penalised and this time, the quick tap saw Ammanford score in the corner.

Howe converted his third penalty when a rolling maul was dragged down. Yet Ammanford kept their line in tact, even though the Quins forwards were exerting everincreasing pressure.

Pinned in their 22, with the superior Quins scrum playing a starring role in sustaining the strangle- hold, the call for passive scrums was made.

Then, Jay Ronan appeared in midfield. His cross-kick appeared illthought. l ploy. It proved to be a stroke of genius. Ryan George snatched the ball from right under the defenders noses to race to the line.

Within minutes, the Quins were over again.

Excellent passing stretched Ammanford’s defence. Jack Picton paced up the line and gave an inside pass to Lloyd Bradley who showed his back-up instincts to glide over. Howe converted.

Close to the visiting line, a constant bombardment of carriers chiselled away at the defence, until Geraint Watkins rounded off a sublime individual display to punch through a tackle and snatch the bonus point try.

Tonight (Wednesday) the final game of a remarkable season will be played against Bonymaen. Another victory may help ensure a runner-up spot, the highest finish ever achieved by the club.