This year sees the Quins celebrate 120 years of rugby, yet they only received WRU status in 1987. They really came to the fore when the National League system was created and, after only losing two games in winning the Division 1 West Central title last season, they went on to clinch their Championship ticket by beating Division 1 West champions Felinfoel over two-legs.
That was the culmination of an exhaustive period of eight games in 22 days in May and made the Quins the pride of the Llynfi Valley.
They have wasted no time in getting prepared for the biggest challenge in their history. Player-coach Dean Ronan has appointed the former Bridgend, Maesteg and Cardiff threequarter Grant Epton to his back room staff in place of the departing Andrew Leighton and brought in front row specialist Kieron Griffiths.
“It’s no secret that we were desperate to recruit front row players and I believe Kieron can develop into an excellent player,” said Ronan.
The Quins launched their march to the Championship back in the 2010/11 season when Ronan returned to the club as player-coach. They were unbeaten in winning the Division 4 South West title and then made it 42 unbeaten league outings in a row the next season when they romped to the Division 3 South West crown.
In 2013/14 they won the Division 2 West title and now they have bagged the Division 1 West Central silverware and are ready to mix it with the big boys. Joining them in the Championship will be Ystrad Rhondda, who will also be making their debut at this level. They won the Division 1 East Central title after five successive season of finishing as runners-up. They then went on to convincingly beat Brynmawr 75-36 in the two-leg play-off final.
Ystrad face a mighty test in their opening game as they have the honour of welcoming the champions of the past two seasons, Pontypool, to Gelligaled Park. The Gwent club went through their league campaign unbeaten last season and have lost only once in two seasons in the Championship. Last season’s Championship runners-up Narberth kick-off at Beddau, while third-place Tata Steel start at home against Bedlinog.
FIXTURES FOR 2018/19
