Swalec League Division 4 West THE Greens travelled west on Saturday confident of an away-day success, but found themselves denied victory in the dying moments by the determined effort of the home eight. Robust and uncompromising exchanges were the order of the day throughout but with Bryn once again losing concentration at key stages the initiative was handed to the homesters in the final quarter.

In incessant rain an early exchange of penalties saw Quins lead 6-3 with scrum half Dafydd Jones landing Bryn’s three pointer.

As tempers frayed the first yellow cards soon appeared, and both sides found themselves reduced to 14 men, half way through the first half.

Good approach play by props Cerith Rees and Mark Thomas moments later however, released quick ruck ball, and with a sweeping threequarter movement wing Dean Williams put clear on the wide left. With two defenders to beat, a superbly weighted chip outwitted the defence and with a swift turn of pace outstripped the cover to touchdown under the posts. Dafydd Jones converted as Bryn led 10-6 with 35 minutes played.

As half time approached, a Bryn lineout infringement, saw Quins successful with their third penalty and the deficit was cut to one point at 10-9.

Turning around with the advantage of the slight slope, Bryn had every reason to be optimistic but with No 8 Joel Spurway given his second yellow card within minutes Bryn found themselves reduced to 14 men.

This however was soon surpassed by the homesters who found themselves on the wrong end of no less than four yellow cards in the frantic third quarter.

Scrum half Dafydd Jones took advantage of two kickable penalties as Bryn’s lead was extended to 16-9. With ten minutes remaining Bryn looked in control and with flanker Mike Richards once again dominating the contact area an away win looked a certainty. Lack of concentration however allowed Quins to attack deep into the Bryn 22 and with the Greens caught offside at the ensuing ruck a further Quins penalty meant the score was then 12-16 with five minutes remaining.

Failure to secure field position from the restart saw Quins surge forward once more and after a series of four five-yard scrums, the Greens’ defence finally snapped as the homesters crossed for the winning try at 17-16 with the final play.