PEMBROKE DOCK QUINS 12 pts. NANTGAREDIG 28

The Quins put up a spirited display against high-flying Division 3B side Nantgaredig, and the score bore no reflection on the dominance of the Quins in the second half, but sadly their dreams of an appearance at the Principality Stadium in the National Bowl competition are over for another year.

The visitors could not have got off to a better start, when outside-half Dafydd Lewis slotted over a penalty after just two minutes, and on 10 minutes, scrum-half George Gleeson slipped over for a try, which was converted by Lewis.

With a 0-10 advantage for the visitors, it looked like it was going to be a tough afternoon for the Quins.

On the half-hour, the Quins were dealt a hammer blow when right wing Gethin Davies touched down for a unconverted try wide out to put his side 15 points to the good.

The Quins, though, responded magnificently, with one of the best tries they have scored this season. After some fine fall retention, outside-half Lewis Davies powered through a gap in a stretched defence to score halfway out. He converted the try himself to put the Quins back in the hunt.

With five minutes of the half remaining, the Quins laid siege to the visitors’ line, but unfortunatey for they could not crack the defence.

The Quins had it all to play for as the second half started, but with just five minutes gone, Dafydd Lewis punished a Quins indiscretion to put his side into a 7-18 lead.

From here on in it was all Quins as they seemed to be encamped in the visitors’ 22, but no matter what they tried, it just did not seem their day.

Just on the hour mark, an interception try by Dafydd Lewis was a cruel blow to the Quins after all the effort they had put in. He failed to convert rom wide out.

The Quins, though, were soon back inside the visitors’ 22, with replacement Hywel Baker showing a never-say-die attitude after coming off his sick bed, but they could not force a score, with some outstanding defence by the visitors coming to the fore.

Nantgaredig grabbed a fourth try when a chip over the top bounced straight into Dafydd Lewis’s hands and the outside-half did the rest for an unconverted try.

The Quins, though, had the last say when replacement prop Martin Culley powered over from close range for an unconverted try.

Team: Liam Hargreaves-Gibson, Dan Goodridge, Charlie Dearden, Thomas Doyle (capt), Aaron Cookson ,Lewis Davies, Jake Griffiths, Steffan Hallward, Alex Pierce, Harry Owen, Aaron Boswell, Sam James, Mark Van Ryhn, Neil Brace, Tom Clarkson. Replacements - Nathan Abrahams, Martin Culley, Hywel Baker, George Bellmaine.