The Quins have played a game more than Ton, but with an unbeaten record stretching from September and with a league double-header still left to play against their title rivals, the two-horse run-in is heading down to the wire.
This weekend, Tonmawr were left frustrated by another postponement and Quins took the opportunity to heap pressure on them as they raced in six tries.
The home side had built up a useful 19-3 lead by half time and then opened up in the second half with both Jim Morgan and Josh Freeman defying the blustery conditions to cross for a hatrick of tries. Mark Jones added thirteen points from the boot while in reply, Athletic could only muster three penalties through outside half Stuart Morris and were not helped by losing a player in each half to the sin bin.
Outside half Aled Davies kept third-placed Narberth’s faint title hopes alive with a virtuoso performance in a 24-15 win at Corus.
With Corus down to 14 men after Andrew Healey’s dismissal in the 38th minute for a second yellow card, Davies took full advantage with a try, four penalties and a conversion to finish with a match haul of 19 points.
Centre Steve Martin claimed the Otters’ other try but they still remain a daunting 11 points adrift of the leaders.
In the division’s only other surviving match, Merthyr moved above their visitors Bonymaen in the table after a comprehensive 36-10 triumph. Centre Matthew Edwards led the way with a brace of tries, while Paul Watkins, Christian Dacey, Michael Shopra and Liam Rees also got in on the act. Darren Pearce added three conversions while Andrew Cousins crossed for Bonymaen’s consolation score.
Newbridge’s home tie with UWIC was the only game given the go ahead in Division One East and a strong first half showing set up their 23-17 victory. Centre Sean Thomas starred with 12 points including a try.
