IN a pulsating Pembs KO Cup clash at Bierspool, Pembroke Dock Quins and Narberth put in tremendous commitment and effort which was pretty commendable at such an early stage of the season.
It was the Otters who started the stronger, dominating territory and possession, with the Quins hanging in with some big tackles and strong defence, the returning Jack Brown at No 8 leading by example and making a difference.
The Quins will be annoyed by the try they conceded after 15 minutes when the Otters Scrum Half Dylan Walsh broke through a few tackles to score in the Corner. Full Back Shane Rossiter missed the conversion from the touchline.
The Otters were still dominating, and on the half hour mark scored their second try through Outside Half Will Lewis who cut through the Quins defence to score, Shane Rossiter converted via the upright to increase the Otters lead to 0-12.
But as they entered the last minutes of the half the Quins hit back in devastating fashion when Quins flanker Harry Owen burst away from a maul, made 15 yards before popping the perfect pass for Scrum Half Morgan Rogers to score near the Posts. He converted himself to close the deficit to 7-12.
He was at it again just as time was running out, slotting over penalty to pull the score back to 10-12.The half time whistle went and it looked like the match was up for grabs.
The Quins did have the advantage of a cross wind as the second half started, and were soon on the attack, they seemed to be rejuvenated after their strong end to the first half, their pressure soon paid off when Hooker Danny Mcleod forced his way over from close range wide out, Morgan Rogers converted from wide out to put the Quins in front 17-12.
The Quins were still on top and spurned two penalties for territory which came to nothing. As the clock was counting down the Otters upped the anti, and the question now was could the Quins hang on.
With just seven minutes left Otters Left Wing Ioan Crabb broke a few Quins tackles and scored in Dimocks Corner to make the scores level. The Otters were now ahead on try count but Shane Rossiter converted with a strange but magnificent kick to edge his side 17-19 ahead.
With five minutes to go it looked all over for the Quins as they were camped just outside their own 25.
Then replacement Ben Hathaway picked the ball up as the game went into injury time made 10 yards before passing the ball to young replacement Wing Tom Donovan who in his first game rode two tackles when nothing seemed on and close to the touchline sped up the line and ran in from nearly half way and scored in the corner. Morgan Rogers converted from the touchline as the Quins ran out winners by 24-19.
