The Quins’ unbeaten run came to halt on Saturday at the hands of promotion rivals Aberaeron in controversial circumstances, and being on the wrong end of a massive penalty count did not help.
Right from the off the Quins conceded a penalty for not releasing, and Aberaron outside half Rhodri Jenkins duly obliged to put his side ahead after just two minutes.
There was no doubt the visitors were on top in the early stages and were unlucky not to increase their lead when Jenkins scuffed his second penalty attempt.
With the penalty count rising the Quins could not get into the game at all, and it was no surprise when Jenkins found the mark again to push his side into a six point lead.
It was not until the 30th minute that the Quins had a penalty of their own, and full back Ben Hathaway with a superb kick put the visitors’ line under pressure for the first time.
From the resulting lineout the Quins were unlucky not to score when young scrum half Gethin Bradney was dispossessed right on the try line.
The second half started with the Quins still giving away numerous penalties, and the team and the crowd were getting more and more frustrated with the penalty count well into double figures.
Jenkins added two more penalties to give his side a 12 point cushion, and it was going to be an uphill task for the Quins.
To their credit the Quins dominated the final 15 minutes and scored a deserved try through centre Jack Price.
Scrum half Gethin Bradney was desperately unlucky with the conversion which shaved the upright from wide out.
The Quins were now forcing penalties of their own with the pressure they were exerting but could not force another score.
However they remain top of the table, with another important game to comeat St Clears.
Quins team:?Ben Hathaway, Josh Brown Jack Price (Capt), Carl Scott, Arron Treweeks,Keiron Machin, Gethin Bradney, Liam Smith, Mark Van Rhyn, Jack Davies, Paul Busby,Sam James, Hywel Baker, Arron Boswell, and Ollie Parsons.
Replacements:Martin Cully, Marcus Phillips, Jordan Palmer, Dai Moseley and Danny Manning.