PEMBROKE DOCK HARLEQUINS 13 pts.

NEYLAND 11

The Pembrokeshire ‘All Blacks’ came away from Bierspool on Saturday wondering how they lost this match after dominating the second half both in possession and territory.

The Quins however stuck to their guns with a magnificent defensive display in which they gave no quarter.

The Quins got off to a good start and it was not long before they crossed the whitewash. With just seven minutes on the clock, a fine run by scrum half James Skeels set-up outside half Jake Griffiths who with a superbly weighted pass sent captain and centre Thomas Doyle over for his fifth try of the season. Fellow centre Lewis Davies popped over the conversion to give the Quins a seven point lead. It all looked rosy in the garden at this stage. On 20 minutes, things got even better for the Quins when Lewis Davies nonchantly put over a penalty to put the Quins 10 points to the good. The Quins were having the better of things as the half wore on, but all they had to show for their efforts was another penalty from Lewis Davies which gave the Quins a 13 point lead at the break.

The Quins must have felt pretty pleased with themselves as the second half got underway, but Neyland were in no mood to lie down and were soon encamped inside the Quins 25, and it was not long before they were rewarded for their efforts. With the half just five minutes old, second row Jimmy Biures forced his way over, outside half Steve Martin missed the difficult conversion. Neyland’s tails were now up, and with still over 30 minutes to go, the match was up for grabs. The Quins though were defending as if their lives depended on it with total commitment shown by every home player. The ‘All Blacks’ then brought on young outside half Harry Williams as they threw everything at the Quins, running at the home defence at every opportunity, the Quins though still held firm, and with the ghosts of the previous encounter looming large in some of the Quins faithful, who were hoping they would not throw the lead away again. Ten minutes from time, Neyland moved into losing bonus point territory when Harry Williams stuck a fine 30 yard penalty to reduce the score to 13-8. Three minutes later, the young outside half was at it again, this time with an even better strike. With the score at 13-11, it looked all odds that Neyland were going to sneak it at the death. Harry Williams, who looks an outstanding prospect, did fail with a very difficult kick with minutes to go, but the Quins put up a tremendous rear guard action to thwart the ‘All Black’ tide and hang on by the skin of their teeth to earn a hard-fought victory.

Team: Aaron James, Aaron Cookson, Lewis Davies, Thomas Doyle (capt.), Liam Hargreaves-Gibson, Jake Griffiths, James Skeels, Barry Parsons, Harry Owen Hywel Baker, Mike Davis, Alex Pierce, Rob Hearne, Neil Brace, Chad Monk. Replacements: Nathan Abrahams, Dan Goodridge, George Bellmaine, Sam James and Rhys Bradney.

Scorers: Thomas Doyle (try), Lewis Davies (two penalties, one conversion).