NEC Harlequins beat Pontypridd by the narrowest of margins in a game affected by the conditions. Poor handling, unforced errors and players regularly losing their footing was a constant feature due to persistent rain.

The home team made the better start. Early pressure resulted in a try for winger Lenny Woodard after 7 minutes. He beat Brendon Daniel and Ryan O'Neill to a cross-field kick to score in the corner, though Lee Jarvis failed with the conversion.

Quins hit back after 25 minutes. A Keith Wood charge, from a lineout inside the Pontypridd twenty-two, allowed Garrick Morgan to dive over from close range. Burke's conversion gave Quins a 7-5 lead.

Quins defended the rest of the half superbly, defusing one Pontypridd attack after another. Though Pontypridd led going into the break thanks to a Jarvis penalty, with Quins adjudged offside in midfield.

Quins made the perfect start to the second half. With the rain briefly subsiding, Peter Richards made a powerful break. He found support from Steve White-Cooper who turned the ball back inside to Mark Mapletoft. Danny Badham, currently on a short-term trial, was on hand to take the scoring pass. Mapletoft missed the conversion but Quins regained the lead 12-8.

More excellent defence continued to keep Pontypridd at bay until a penalty from full back Brett Davey cut the deficit to just one point. Quins rallied and were rewarded a penalty which Ben Gollings successfully converted after 58 minutes. Quins now lead 15-11. Another Davey penalty completed the scoring with twenty minutes left.

Despite being under constant pressure, Quins defence held out and prevented Pontypridd claiming a winning score. The game was an excellent opportunity for the squad to get some competitive match practice prior to the start of the Premiership season.