Gwernyfed RFC - 13
Quins - 18
ALMOST a month after the tragic loss of their team-mate, the Quins made an emotional return to the Gwernyfed ground where Lewis Smith had played his final game of rugby.
Many Abergavenny supporters, committee and first team players travelled to support the Quins, including Lewis's father Ricky Smith, so that for once the away support exceeded the home crowd.
There was a warm welcome from the Gwernyfed players and committee and the game was preceded by a minute's silence.
However, as soon as the whistle blew it turned into a typical Welsh Cup derby with no quarter asked and no quarter given.
In a bruising affair the Quins took an early lead when their number eight (Donk) split the defence and run in from 20 yards to score under the posts.
The conversion was soon followed by a penalty and the Quins were looking good with a 0-10 lead.
Not to be battered so easily into submission, Gwernyfed responded with two penalties of their own and the game was very much on.
A series of driving rucks in front of the Quins' posts, saw the home-side awarded a penalty try for an infringement. The score was converted to give them a half-time lead of 13-10.
The second-half began with the two teams locking horns and cancelling one another out, but the Quins did kick another penalty to level the scores at 13-13.
Gaining more and more possession and territory the Quins capitalised by applying pressure on Gwernyfed's 22 and chose to tap rather than kick the several penalties which came their way.
They were eventually rewarded with a try in the corner by lock Dan Horler who used his giant frame to stretch over to score an unconverted try that was to decide the tie 13-18 in the Quins' favour.
Back in the clubhouse both the Abergavenny and Gwernyfed Chairmen spoke of the bond between the two clubs and agreed how their respective committees would work together to arrange appropriate commemorative occasions in memory of Lewis Smith.