Abergavenny Quins - 5

Crickhowell RFC - 20

A SATURDAY afternoon In January and what more could you want? A rugby match, a cup game, a local derby played on a wet bog of a pitch, a red card for an alleged stamp, a referee whose decisions  puzzled both sets of players and supporters alike?

Well the gathered assembled had it all when Abergavenny Quins took on Crickhowell in the quarter finals of the Ivor Jones cup. 

It was not the flowing game of rugby that everyone had hoped for but a real scrap with the Quins putting up a tenacious fight against a side that currently lead division six of the national leagues. 

The Quins never looked likely to win with their pack out scrummaged at the set piece and in the tight, but to their credit they put up a rear guard action, mainly within their 22 metre area to keep the points from running away from them.

Crickhowell opened the scoring with an Adam Howells penalty goal and this was soon followed by a series of driving mauls. Although the Quins managed to stand fast, the inevitable Crick try came from 20 metres out when Matt Price touched down. The conversion failed.

Crick sensed that this could herald the opening of the flood gates but the Quins had other ideas as their fullback seized on a loose kick from the visitors and following some mazy running combined with the inside centre, who crossed he try-line to score an unconverted try. 

A lineout on the Abergavenny five metre line developed into a maul from which James Webb picked up to score an unconverted try wide out.

Into the second half and it was much of a muchness. The Crickhowell half backs kept the ball in the Quins 22 metre area and although the home side tackled themselves to a standstill, the inevitable happened when Leon Rees saw a gap and shot through to score from some 30 metres out. Adam Howells converted.

Crickhowell now move forward to the semi finals of the competition as they try to retain the trophy they won last season. 

Next Saturday it's back to the nitty gritty for the Parc Broyd outfit who visit Trinant in a league game.