Pembroke Dock Quins 5 pts.

Llangadog 13

The Quins were unfortunate to come away with nothing to show for their endeavours in a match that did credit to Division Five rugby.

It was the visitors who threatened in the opening stages, with scrum-half and captain Aled Jenkins causing problems with some probing runs.

The Quins' scrum, though, was a lot more secure than the previous week at New Dock Stars and, with Mike Davis and Joe Powell doing well in the lineouts, the omens looked good for the hosts.

But after 10 minutes the visitors struck when after sustained pressure Aled Jenkins forced his way over for a try to give his side the lead. Outside-half Matthew Bailey missed with the conversion.

The Quins, though, were soon back on the attack, forcing a penalty, which outside-half Lewis Davies pushed wide of the uprights.

The ball in play time was very high for a match of Division Five standard, which would have pleased any neutrals that were watching.

Both defences were well on top as the half drew to a close, with very few tackles being missed by either side.

As the second half started, the Quins must have felt they were in with a great chance of pulling off their fifth league win of the season.

Some strong running by centre Mark Roach was starting to cause the visitors problems and as the game progressed, with neither side dominating, the outcome was very much up in the air, but on the hour the Quins responded with a fine try after another strong run from Roach.

Scrum-half Nathan George switched play to his right and after passing through three pairs of hands, right winger Sam Richards did extremely well to score in the corner with very little room to work in.

Lewis Davies missed the conversion and with the scores now locked at 5-5, it was anyone's game.

The visitors were perplexed at the Quins 'score and went straight on the offensive, forcing a penalty right in front of the posts.

Bailey popped over the easy kick to give his side the lead.

With just 15 minutes remaining, the Quins were dealt a blow when hooker Jake Newman sustained what seemed a serious knee injury.

The game was held up for 30 minutes while the ambulance came.

The Quins, just five adrift, were still in with a chance, but it was the visitors who struck in the dying minutes when left wing Chris Davidson crossed for a fine unconverted try wide out to secure his side's victory and cruelly take away a losing bonus point, which the Quins deserved in probably the most entertaining match seen at Bierspool this season.

As for Newman, his injury was not as bad as first feared and he was soon back in the clubhouse after treatment.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the Quins are away to near neighbours Neyland on St. David's Day in an eagerly-awaited local derby.