All Wales Sport League

Division Three

Ammanford 12 Amman Quins 17

Despite the atrocious weather which battered the country over the weekend, Ammanford were able to make the most of a lull in the conditions to host Amman United Quins for an eagerly awaited top-of-the-table clash in Division Three of the All Wales Sport-sponsored league.

Ammanford went into the game as clear league leaders with the Quins and Brynamman, who took on Pantyffynnon, neck and neck in second and third place.

In a hard-fought affair on a strength-sapping pitch it was the visiting Quins who were able to come out on top.

The match proved a typical game of two halves, with the visitors starting proceedings in rampant mood.

After just five minutes, the Quins relentless early forward pressure paid off, resulting in an opening try for Liam Mangan.

And the visitors maintained their early momentum – notching up a second touchdown thanks to the quick-thinking of Alun Lewis.

Jonny Bevan was unable to convert either of the scores however.

Ten minutes before the interval, a loose ball in midfield was hacked hopefully downfield by the Quins, allowing the athletic Christian Gregory to give chase.

Gregory was able to make up the ground and touch down for the Quins’ third try of the day. Bevan found his kicking boots and converted to give the visitors what seemed would be a comfortable 17-0 half-time lead.

However, with time running out Ammanford managed to claim a foothold in the game just before the interval when a number of scrummages on the Quins try-line brought a deserved try.

The touchdown was converted to ensure the Quins carried a 17-7 lead into the break.

The hosts, to their credit, turned the game around in the second half.

Ammanford pressured the visiting defence from the restart and added a second score to leave the tie wide open with much of the second half to play.

With their tails up, the home side pushed hard for the score that would level the game and set up camp inside the Quins’ 22.

But the visitors held firm and time ran out on Ammanford.

With time up and the ball in hand, the Quins gladly hacked the ball into touch to bring the final whistle and a earn a hard-fought victory which may well prove crucial come the season’s end.

Both sides can claim immense credit for their efforts on a pitch that soaked up every ounce of energy.

Meanwhile, Brynamman claimed a 29-21 victory over visiting Panty.

The results left Ammanford clinging on to top spot with the Quins in second and Brynmamman in third, as all three teams began 2014 on 29 points.