Quins miss out on upset (From Western Telegraph)

Quins miss out on upset

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 3 Lampeter 6

Pembroke Dock Harlequins came within a whisker of causing one of the shock results of the season as they entertained high-flying Lampeter and came within a whisker of victory before losing by two penalties to one.

Coach Lennie Scourfield and his squad were naturally gutted by the final result but in his post-match analysis the coach could only praise his players for the way that they stuck to their task, especially since they had been slammed 62-17 when the teams met in Mid Wales.

He was quick to praise the way that referee John Morgan (Llandovery) had taken charge but disagreed with Mr Morgan on one vital decision which, had it gone the Quins way, might well have altered the result, fly half Roy Davies making a sniping run into the top corner and looking to set up a ruck when he was tackled.

The Quins pack arrived in numbers and looked sure to score but they were recalled because Mr Morgan decided that the Quins fly half had caused the ball to go forward.

It was a key decision, the sort that always seems to go against a side when they are down, especially when they take on teams at the top whose rub of the green always seems that little greener!

Lampeter were quick to praise the Quins for pushing them all the way and the opening exchanges were even as the visitors tried to use the forward power of Sion Davies, Chris Thomas, skipper Alec Page and Dafydd Mills - but they encountered stern resistance from the Quins tight five of Richard McIntyre, Gary Burns, Ian Osborne, Anthony Lay and Colin Burton. The home back row of Phil Hughes, Gareth and Mike Scourfield all tackled well so that the Lampeter midfield of Paul Butch Jones, Llyr Thomas and Emyr Jones was contained.

The Quins tried hard, via halves Nigel Edwards and Roy Davies, to use the power of Mark Bradney and Darren Gibby to release Gareth Lewis and Neil Harris wide out - but the heavy pitch gradually made sure that chances were few and far between.

Lampeter took the lead from two penalties by Butch Jones after good work by Daniel Watkins, Kevin Jenkins and No 8 Barry Evans - but the Quins hit back with a penalty from the trusty left boot of flanker Gareth Scourfield.

Scourfield was marginally short from a long-range attempt that would have pulled the Quins level but with an interval deficit of only three points the Quins were in with a real chance.

The second half developed into a forward dog-fight where the Quins gave as good as they got but play developed into something of a midfield slog and the final whistle from Mr Morgan saw Lampeter a very relieved side while the Quins players and coach were again left to reflect on a defeat which might well have turned into a much-needed win!

Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Adi John: Gareth Lewis; Mark Bradney; Darren Gibby; Neil Harries: Roy Davies; Nigel Edwards: Richard McIntyre; Gary Burns; Ian Osborne: Anthony Lay (Simon Lindley); Colin Burton: Phil Hughes; Gareth Scourfield; Mike Scourfield. Replacements (not used): Brendan ODriscoll; Jonathan Mathias; Lance Tallett.