The ‘Mighty Quins’ unbeaten in 10 consecutive league games were humbled in a 5 try romp by an upbeat Dunvant side. Quins were expected to play a fast flowing game of running rugby,but somehow Quins saw 4 yellows and 2 reds to finish with 13 men in an intensively competitive game..
This should have been a battle over unbeaten records, Maesteg unbeaten all season and Dunvant unbeaten at home. Instead it was a battle between Dunvant who wanted to play rugby, and a Quins side that were not their usual selves. Returning to Dunvant was former home grown favourite Craig ‘Ripper’ Hawkins on dual registration from Llanelli where he has successfully plied his trade for several years, winning 4 Barbarians caps into the mix as well.
Dunvant kicked off with a strong swirling wind around the ground. Credit to our Groundsman, Dave Rushworth, for getting the pitch playable after all the incessant rain which caused 3 of the 5 Division 2 West fixtures to be called off. The first 20 minutes was a pretty even kicking battle for territory between both sides. Dunvant had the first opportunity to score on 20 minutes with a penalty kick from 35 metres but outside half Richard Lewis was short. Almost immediately he had a similar penalty attempt also from 35 metres but central to the posts which was successful for 3-0. On 25 minutes the first fracas started near the halfway touchline which resulted in a first yellow card for Quins. Richard Lewis missed a further penalty attempt from the halfway line which was again short and Quins were able to clear. From a lineout, Dunvant flanker Rhys Tucker broke through Quins defence and passed to fellow flanker ‘Ripper ‘ who was able to run in near the posts for 8-0 as the conversion attempt was wide. On the half hour, Dunvant scored a superb try, the ball going through several pairs of hands with some slick passing to let full back Adam Williams-Parry fly down the touchline to score in the right hand corner. Again the conversion was missed in the swirling wind but Dunvant were leading 13-0. With half time approaching, another penalty kick from 36 metres was wide so the half time score was Dunvant 13 Maesteg Quins 0. Skirmishes had been breaking out throughout the first half, with referee Justin Williams giving both Captains a talking to.
Quins restarted the second half and shortly after were awarded a penalty at the scrum where they had been the stronger, to have a first opportunity to kick at goal. This was spurned and kicked to touch for a 5 metre lineout. Dunvant lock Jamie Nicholas rose to the occasion and stole the lineout for Dunvant to clear their lines. On 50 minutes another skirmish broke out and this time Ripper received a yellow card. In spite of being down to 14, Dunvant attacked Quins try line and almost managed to maul the ball over the try line, but seconds later wing Craig Lewis was able to break through Quins defence to score under the posts and Richard Lewis converted for 20-0. A 5th fracas resulted in a red card for one of Quin's props and from then on we had passive scrums. Shortly after, more infringement saw a Maesteg player get a second yellow and red to take Maesteg down to 13 for the remainder of the game. On the half hour, full back Adam Williams-Parry scored his second try in the left hand corner to earn Dunvant a try bonus point, although again the conversion was missed so 25-0. Strangely, only then did Quins show that they can play rugby, the 13 men putting in some great moves keeping the ball in hand showing what might have been if they had kept their discipline from the start. Craig ‘Ripper’ Hawkins was named as the Dunvant Rugby Club Singers Man of the Match, and Richard Lewis finished of the scoring with a superb try of his own under the posts, duly converted, for a final score of 32-0.
Quins still remain in 1st place, Dunvant move up to second with Skewen’s visit to Trebanos being postponed. Next up for Dunvant is another home game on 4th January against Trebanos who defeated Dunvant 18-11 in our first game of the season. The boys will be up for putting that one right with home advantage.

Scores:
Dunvant: 32
Tries: 7 Craig Hawkins, 15 Adam Williams-Parry (2), 11 Craig Lewis, 10 Richard Lewis
Conversions: 10 Richard Lewis (2)
Penalty: 10 Richard Lewis
Maesteg Harlequins: 0

Dunvant team:
Backs: 15 Adam Williams-Parry, 14 Ben Pothecary, 13 Sam Crowley (Capt.), 12 Danny Davies, 11 Craig Lewis, 10 Richard Lewis, 9 Sam Gallagher
Forwards: 1 Carwyn Williams, 2 Ceri Davies, 3 Ryan Shoemark, 4 Jamie Nicholas, 5 Gareth Cadmore, 6 Rhys Tucker, 7 Craig Hawkins, 8 Mark Loughlin
Replacements: 16 Robbie Morris, 17 Jordan Jackson, 18 Lewis Buckley, 19 Aled Lewis

Match official: Justin Williams

Main Match Sponsor: ALAN BRYANT MOTORS

Dunvant Rugby Club Singers Man of the Match : Craig Hawkins

Ball Boys & Scoreboard Operators: Dunvant U8’s

Results for Saturday 21st December
Swalec League Division 2 West
Aberavon Quins 10 Seven Sisters 38
Dunvant 32 Maesteg Quins 0
Mumbles v Maesteg- match postponed
Newcastle Emlyn v Felinfoel- match postponed
Trebanos v Skewen-match postponed

Ospreys OE Youth League
Gorseinon v Morriston-match postponed