PEMBROKE DOCK QUINS pts.19 PENYGROES 12

The Quins pulled off their second victory of the season at the expense of Penygroes on Saturday, and for a change, after being thwarted in the last minute in their previous two matches, it was the Quins who grabbed the spoils at the death.

Both sides this season have struggled to get their best sides on the pitch. The Quins in particular, with a lengthy injury list, work commitments and the lure of the deckchair, have suffered considerably.

The game kicked off with the visitors on the front foot, testing the Quins' with a remarkable display of ball retention for a division five side, but the home defence held firm from this early onslaught.

The first 20 minutes certainly belonged to the visitors, but a determined run out of defence by Joe Powell eased the pressure and a clever box kick from scrum-half Adrian Heath nearly resulted in a try, but the unfortunate bounce eluded Joe Powell.

Just when the Quins were getting into the game, the visitors struck with a long range try from scrum-half Carwyn Jones, which was easily converted by outside-half Chris Powell.

Five minutes before the break, the Quins struck when outside-half Adam Cawley finished off a fine move, swallow diving over halfway out, but unfortunately he was well wide with his conversion attempt, which would have levelled the scores.

The half ended with the Quins on the front foot, but there was to be no more scoring and the visitors went in with 7-5 advantage.

As the second half commenced, the Quins knew they had it all to do and could not have wished for a better start. With the half just 10 minutes old, centre Paul Jonkers raced in from 40 yards after Adam Cawley had put him into space. The outside-half easily converted to put the Quins 12-7 in front.

As the half wore on, the visitors were starting to get more and more into the game, but the Quins' defence, as it had done in the early exchanges, held firm.

Both sides at this stage were tackling superbly, but it was the visitor,s with just five minutes remaining, who breached the Quins' defence when after sustained pressure Chris Powell dummied his way over the line. The conversion was not too difficult, but amazingly the outside-half pushed it wide.

With the scores now locked at 12-12, it looked like being an end to the scoring.

But the Quins were not going to settle for a draw and indeed it speaks volumes for the spirit of the side when, with the last move of the match, the ball went through at least six pairs of hands and ended with second row Mike Davis scoring his first try for the side in the corner. Adam Cawley converted from the touchline with a magnificent kick to send the Quins in victorious.

The Quins' next game is away to Pontyates on December 7.