Pembroke Dock Quins 24 pts. Neyland 40

The Quins could not have got off to a worse start, as straight from the kick-off, the Pembrokeshire ‘All Blacks’ scored one of the quickest tries of the season when left wing Luke Conbeer showed a great deal of pace and sped away from near halfway to put his side in front.

Outside-half Mark Riley converted for a 7-0 lead.

The Quins hit back five minutes later when a well-weighted chip from outside-half Ben Hathaway caused problems in the visitors’ defence, which enabled flanker Alex Pierce to plough over from short range. Hathaway converted to level the scores.

The hosts were on top up front, but the visitors’ backs looked well-organised and were willing to attack from anywhere, and it was no surprise when they once again outflanked the Quins’ defence, and this time it was the opposite wing, Ben Goodridge, who touched down.

Riley converted and the ‘All Blacks’ were 14-7 to the good.

Once again the Quins hit back when a powerful run by Kevin Bratcher set up an opportunity for young prop Josh Boswell, who with great determination touched down right on the try line, although this time Hathaway was unlucky with his conversion as it hit the post.

With the score now at 14-12, it was clear that it was going to be a battle between the Quins pack and the Neyland backs ,and it was the visitors who struck again when Goodridge finished off a fine move with an unconverted try to put his side 19-12 up at half-time.

The second half started with the Quins on the front foot, putting an enormous amount of pressure on the visitors’ line and they were desperately unlucky not to cross the whitewash, but just as happened a fortnight ago, Neyland turned the ball over and went virtually the length of the field to score a fine try from fullback Patrick Bellerby.

Toby Hayman added the extras which was a terrible blow for the Quins after all the effort they had put in.

With the bonus point now in the bag, the visitors stepped on the gas, which brought a try for Delme Bateman, which again was converted by Hayman.

The Quins, though, did respond when their own man-of-the-match Pierce powered over for his second try.

Hathaway missed the conversion as the elements started to deteriorate.

With the score now 33-17 in the visitors’ favour, the Quins could at least go for a try bonus point, but it was Conbeer, not to be outdone by his fellow wing, who raced away for his second try and Neyland’s sixth, which again was converted by Hayman.

The home side did grab a bonus point try, though, when their inspirational captain and centre Thomas Doyle forced his way over. Hathaway converted with an awkward kick in difficult conditions to conclude the scoring.

Quins team: Jake Griffiths, Dan Goodridge, Tomas Bullivant, Thomas Doyle (capt), Harry Lawrence, Ben Hathaway, Elliot Lewis, Kevin Bratcher, Stefan Halward, Alex Pierce, Steve James, Mark Van Rhyn, Josh Boswell, Jake Newman, Jack Davies.

Replacements - Liam Scourfield, Martin Culley, Mark Wooles, James Gardener and Dean Wilcox.