PONTYATES 25 pts.

PEMBROKE DOCK QUINS 20

The Quins, with seven changes from the team that beat Pembroke the previous week, went down to a surprise defeat at lowly Pontyates on Saturday on a bitterly cold afternoon in the Gwendraeth Valley.

The visitors were hit virtually straight from the kick-off when a strong run from second row Emrys Williams ended with him scoring close to the uprights which was converted by outside-half Keiron Evans to put the home side seven points to the good, and give them a dream start.

With the wind behind them, Pembroke Dock were not finding much trouble clearing their lines, with outside-half Lewis Davies finding some mighty touch-finders, but it was not until 20 minutes were up on the clock that the Quins got on the scoresheet.

After earlier pushing a penalty wide, Davies made no mistake with his second effort.

It was surprising that the Quins did not add to their points total in the first half, coming close on a number of occasions, especially when scrum-half Adam Cawley fed left wing Chris Harries, who for all money looked certain to score, but was pulled down just short of the line.

The Quins were once again strong in the scrum, but the lineout again struggled, and with the wind in the home side's favour after the break, the omens did not look good for the visitors.

Amazingly, the second half started the same as the first, when within minutes Williams powered his way over for his and Ponty's second try, with Evans converting to put the hosts 14-3 up, making it look a real uphill task for the Quins.

But just five minutes later, the Quins scored when number eight Neil Harries forced his way over wide out after some sustained pressure.

Davies missed the difficult conversion against the wind.

The Quins were then caught on their own 25 trying to run the ball out and were penalised for hanging on, and Evans landed the resulting penalty.

Ponty, now with a 17-8 lead and with the wind on their backs, looked firm favourites, and when number eight Steven George powered over for an unconverted try, it looked like the game was up for the Quins.

But these days the Quins are a very resilient bunch, and when centre Paul Jonkers rounded off a fine move to score wide out on the hour, and with Davies adding the extras, the Quins at 22-13 were back in it.

Pembroke Dock were having more of the territory, but when Ponty managed a foothold in the opposition's half, Evans dropped a fine goal after being set up by a strong run from George.

Five minutes from time, the Quins scored their third try after a Davies penalty had pushed them to within five yards of Ponty's line, but he missed the conversion.

The Quins now had their tails up and right to the end of the match were entrenched deep in their opponents' 25.

The game ended with the Quins being turned over right under their opponents posts, sadly finishing in defeat against a side who earlier in the season the Quins had put 80 points on.

On a brighter note, the Quins Youth, who are having a wonderful season, demolished Tenby Youth 57-10 away in a one-sided contest, with the referee blowing up early.