PEMBROKE Dock Harlequins battled hard against Nantgaredig and pushed the second-placed team all the way before finally conceding defeat.

The home side were left to rue not turning late pressure into points.

Nantgaredig took an early six-point lead with two penalties from Barry Thomas before Quins centre Jason Keats powered over for an unconverted try.

However, the Quins trailed 5-13 at the interval after conceding a soft try to Nantgaredig centre Guto Roberts, converted by Thomas.

Roberts added his second try for the visitors in the third quarter of a tempestuous match but the Quins refused to submit and were rewarded with a try by centre Dean Lawrence which hooker Neil Brace converted from wide out.

Kevin Bratcher also went close to helping the Quins upset the form book but the flanker was held up inches short – and the home side had to settle for a bonus point against the league runners up.