Milford Haven 31 pts. Pembroke Dock Quins 14

After two friendly wins and a fine league victory over Laugharne, the Quins came back down to earth with a bump on Saturday, despite leading 14-7 at the break against league favourites, Milford Haven.

The Quins kicked off with the wind favouring them, but it was the Mariners who put down the early marker, with their scrum being a particularly potent weapon.

The home side dominated territory and possession, but all credit to the Quins, they defended superbly, holding out some strong attacks from the Mariners.

On 20 minutes, the Quins conceded a penalty five yards out, and from the resulting scrum, Sam Dolling forced his way over close to the posts, which enabled fullback Ian Rusinek to pop over the conversion with ease to put his side seven up.

If the Mariners thought they were going to have it easy, they were in for a shock, as the Quins hit back almost immediately when centre Jack Price sliced through for a try near the uprights, and outside-half Lewis Davies converted to make it all square at 7-7.

It was now the Quins’ turn to go on the attack as they entered into what turned out to be their best period of the game.

Right on half-time, the Quins forced a penalty, and number eight Barry Parsons took it quickly and forced his way over the try-line from 10 yards out, again close to the posts, and with Davies converting, it sent the visitors in 14-7 in front.

As the second half started, the Quins must have felt pretty confident after leading despite little possession, with their backs capable of scoring at any time.

However, when the Quins failed to find touch, they were punished severely, when centre Dan Jenkins scored wide out after running the ball back.

Ian Rusinek missed the conversion which would have levelled the scores.

With the Quins leading on the hour, it was still anybody’s game, but the Mariners were still dominating possession, although the visitors looked more dangerous when they did have the ball.

It was the Mariners who struck the fatal blow with two tries in the space of two minutes to grab a bonus point and put the game out of reach.

First prop Jamie Parr powered over for a try, which was superbly converted by Rusinek, and then straight from the kick-off, right wing Craig Thomas raced down the touchline to score wide out. Rusinek missed the conversion.

With the Mariners now leading 24-14 all was not lost for the Quins as one score would give them a bonus point as the game entered the closing stages.

The Quins for the first time in the half put pressure on the Mariners’ line and were unlucky not to score.

The home side, however, had the last say when Jamie Parr grabbed his second try, and Rusinek converted to end the scoring.

Quins team: Paul Jonkers, Ryan Neillson, Jake Griffiths, Jack Price, Dan Goodridge, Elliot Lewis, Lewis Davies, Dean Wilcox, Jake Newman, Chad Monk, Mike Davis, Mark Van Rhyn, Alex Pierce, Barry Parsons and Stefan Halwood. Replacements - Nathan George, Gary Pickering, Gareth Clark, Harry Owen and Joe Roberts.