Fixture

A remarkable day that ensured these players are legends in the making, a superb team effort by all, with three bus loads of supporters in convey behind the players bus the atmosphere in the Arms Park Stadium was electric.  In fairness to NC they more or less matched the Quins support and both sets of supporters made themselves vociferously heard.

The Quins fielded the same team as the semi final victory over Penallta. The Quins started well and were in ascendency from the off, the usual slow starters were full of energy and put NC on back foot immediately. With David Morley slotting a couple of penalties, and unluckily hitting the upright with a third. The Quins lineout was functioning with accuracy and powerful driving ensured strong field position.  One lineout drive went a full 40 metres and resulted in NC illegally pulling it down, from the penalty kick to touch the human dynamo that is Dylan Mclauchlan forced his way over for the opening try much to rapture of the travelling fans. With the score at 11 the Quins looked comfortable, but then things took a turn for the worse with captain and scrum half Jacob Flynn was sent off for illegal use of the boot, the decision was taken by the touch judge and the referee backed him up. From the adversity of losing the fulcrum of the team and the catalyst that normally sparks the Quins game to life, the team looked on is disbelief, but in fairness Conor O’ Callaghan played the remaining  hour  of the game as both No8 on NC  ball and No9 on the Quins’ ball, Conor was outstanding in his dual role, box kicking with accuracy, his service to Morley was slick. He turned over ball at the tackle area and was a threat with ball in hand. All in all a remarkable game that earned him my MOM.  He was part of an mighty pack of forwards that was in control throughout everyone played outstandingly, front row colossal triumphant of Luke Davies, Tyler Hopkins and Mike Burgess never took a backward step and when Rusty Robins and Dan Helson came on the momentum never dropped.  The three “ginger monsters” that occupy the second row Jon Thomas, Callum Beynon and Conner Davies put in great shifts and the Paul O’Connell wannabes emulated the legendary  Munsterman. The back row was also immense Aris Kolazakis covered every blade of the artificial pitch, a constant thorn in NC attacking plans. He turned over ball at the breakdown and was always on hand in the attacking movements produced by the Quins backs. Dylan Mclauchlan playing at blindside was colossal and came close to MOM he was powerful in the maul, sat defenders down in the tackle and finished the scoring with his second and last try of the contest.  The back line played their part in the game too, lock  tight centres Quade Boal and Jack Dacey marshalled any attacks with ease. Wingers Nathen Egan and Harley Evans had couple of strong runs and were cut down with only metres to the try line.  Full back Kyle Williams entered the line at pace was rock solid under the high ball and returned kicks with some strong running, but with the sending off the normal 15 man open style of rugby synonyms with the Quins was difficult to achieve, to add to this the Quins were reduced to 13 with Jack Dacey seeing yellow for an offence at the breakdown. This brought Niall Price off the bench to play for the remaining time of the contest, he put in a few big hits and his troublesome hamstring held out with no problems. Prop Luke Davies scored in between Dylan’s double he also defended heroically smashing people in the tackle, the front row dynamism is undoubtedly a massive plus, they play like extra back rowers. Nant Conway scored with 15 minutes to go a cheeky little effort from a close in maul, the 9 skipped through a gap with a audacious dummy.

David Morley kicked 14 points and played with a maturity that belies his youthful appearance.

The celebrations started immediately the final whistle went with all coaches and backroom staff elated with the result. Peter Owen presented the trophy, with the massive support belting out “The Mighty Quins”, and stated that we are best team in Wales, a long journey that started at under 7’s with many highlights, but this was the icing on the cake. The future is bright for all these players and the club can only get stronger with the vast majority stepping up to senior rugby next season.