Category: 1st XV News

Quins  27  Bedwas 13

Due to the recent spate of bad weather, the Park was the only venue left in the Principality Premiership to survive. Having taken the honours away at Bedwas by just the one point, the Quins were keen to make it a double and a step nearer safety.

The Quins started on the front foot and moved the ball about at pace keeping their supporters on their toes on this bitterly cold afternoon. A 5th minute penalty gave Aled Thomas the chance to put the home side ahead and encouraged their players to keep the ball alive with attack being the watchword. After eleven minutes this approach backfired when an attempt to run the ball out of defence was intercepted giving wing Jordan Rees a clear run in under the posts, for Evan Lloyd to convert.

This just urged the Quins into keeping up their attacking style and Aled Thomas reduced the deficit with his second penalty midway through the half. The visitors were forced to pull out all the stops to defend desperately and after a patient build up, play was driven to near the  Bedwas line. A power drive after winning a line out was just stopped inches short and from another line out the Quins were determined not to be denied and their usual power play gave Shaun Jones the chance to touch down for Aled Thomas to regain the Quins lead.

Bedwas were quick to respond and this time it was the Quins defence who had to work overtime for next five minutes before the interval to keep their line intact. The visitors were rewarded for their efforts but missed two penalty attempts within minutes of each other but after 44 minutes  Evan Lloyd was on target to bring his side to within three points of the Quins total.

The Quins set piece and Line out were working well and gave the visitors little chance to threaten the Quins defence. From this line out control, the Quins were able to exploit a gap and after drawing the cover defence a well-timed pass to Gethin Davies saw him make the twenty meters to go over under the posts. Aled Thomas did the honours with the conversion.

Play was kept alive with some enterprising moves and credit to both defences the score line stayed quiet and with the eighty minutes nearly up the Bedwas skipper decided to take a pot a goal and gain a bonus point which was duly converted by Evan Lloyd.

The Quins response was immediate and after a powerful surge upfield from the restart, the reliable Dylan Morgans sliced through an overstretched defence to score a fine try. Aled Thomas conversion was the last touch of the match and the Quins took the league points and move up to 8th place and closer to survival.

The Quins will play five teams below them in the League in their remaining fixtures, so they have all to play for, but the bottom five Clubs face a tricky couple of months in their bid for a place in next seasons Premiership

 

The Quins travel  to Parc y Scarlets next Friday evening and take on Llanelli RFC who will be desperate to win in their bid to stay afloat, but the Quins will be all out to get revenge for the defeat at Home Kick off a Parc y Scarlets is at 7.15 pm.

Quins  39    Bargoed 17

 

Quins Head Coach Emyr Phillips made six changes from the narrow Cup defeat heralded a must win approach, and as in most matches both sides tried to settle early, but after just 3 minutes the Quins went ahead with an Aled Thomas penalty.

 

This was followed by a period of  both sides attempting to move the ball with defences getting the better of things. After 17 minutes a Quins attack was thwarted and the visitors were quick to counter with several players handling to put James Leadbeater away to cross for a well taken try, Josh Prosser added the extra points. The Quins were quick to react and after several dangerous attacks play was camped in the Bargoed 22,.From a line out, the Quins control sucked in the visitors defence and Steff Marshall had amble room and time to put in an accurate cross kick to the Vicarage corner for Aled Thomas to gather and go over for a text book try to retake the lead after 25 minutes. His conversion was just wide.

 

The visitors were pinned down in their own half and from a charge down the Quins were awarded a penalty for Aled Thomas to increase the Quins lead. Prosser managed a penalty to narrow the lead after 32 minutes.  The patience of the Quins control kept play in the Bargoed half and the action was moved from left then back to the right ,keeping the visitors defence on their toes, but such was the Quins possession that a score had to develop and sure enough after 39 minutes the overlap was found out right for Dale Ford to race over.Aled Thomas converted to end the half with the Quins  ahead 18-10

 

The Quins eight were getting the better of things and play was switched from side to side and the visitors defence were kept at full stretch. Steff Marshall was able to find the touch line with long probing efforts, keeping play in the Bargoed half and this gave Osian Knott the space he used well and he went over for try number three. Aled Thomas slotted the conversion. The home side were in full control and kept their supporters satisfied with penetrating runs and power plays.

 

From yet another team effort play was forced into the visitors 22 and the ever improving Lewys Millin was on the end of a charge to score the bonus point try for Aled Thomas to convert. The Quins were well on top and plenty of ball movement gave their backs the  action that pleased their supporters, which led to another skilful bout of play that gave Torin Myhill the room to dash over for try number five, Aled Thomas added the extra points taking his tally up to 19 points.

 

All credit must be given to Bargoed as their never say die attitude gave Josh Howells the chance to find a gap to cross for a well-deserved try for Rosser to convert. The final ten minutes saw both sides open play at all times and this was a fine example of the skill ,intensity and  spirit of the Premier Division.

 

Other Premier Matches highlighted the fine example of what the Division has to offer and develop and this must be stressed to the people who say otherwise. This victory increases the gap between the bottom five Clubs and with five fixtures against sides below them the Quins must feel well on target to survive.

 

Next Friday we travel to the capital to face an encounter with Cardiff RFC who in fine form.

 

Friday 18^th January 2019 – KO – 8:00pm

So the end of 2018 is nearly upon us and what a way to finish the year on a high with a local derby against our Regional opponents Llandovery RFC.

Here are your final 2018 #mightquins match day 23 selected to face Llandovery RFC live on S4C Y Clwb Rygbi.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy new year and best wishes for 2019

Carmarthen Quins RFC v Llandovery RFC

Friday 28th December 2018 – Kick Off 7:30pm

15 Aled Thomas

14 Dale Ford

13 Jack Price

12 Josh Batcup

11 Dylan Morgans

10 Steffan Marshall

9 Jonathan Evans

1 Steff Phillips

2 Torin Myhill

3 Javan Sebastian

4 Lee Taylor

5 Hayden Pugh ( c )

6 Shaun Jones

7 Ellis Lloyd

8 Lewys Millin

Replacements

16 Thomas Kaijacks

17 Thomas Ball

18 Connor Allen

19 Ed Siggery

20 Gethin Davies

21 Gareth Rees

22 Osian Knott

23 Curtis Ford

Quins  13  Pontypridd  16

The Quins made four changes from the Ebbw Vale match, to take on 2nd placed Pontypridd on a wet and miserable afternoon.

Almost from the kick-off the Quins were awarded a penalty only to see Aled Thomas kick sail inches wide. The Quins pack were up against a heavier and more experienced eight but soon settled and were able to win their own put in at both line out and set piece, and after 10 minutes Aled Thomas put the Quins ahead with a 35 yard penalty.

Jac Wilson was able to nurse the touch line which gained valuable ground, and Haydn Pugh and Josh Helps were able to take more than their share of line outs, the visitors were denied good possession and posed no serious threat. It was 25 minutes into the game before Ponty were able to win a line out in the Quins 22 for wing Corey Howells to cross for a try  and Lewis  Williams to add the extra points,

As has happened in many Quins matches this term, this set back seemed to spur them on, and after a move started by Dale Ford in his own half, and several Quins players handled to see Osian Knott start a run that emphasised the threat he has promised, and his dummy pass fooled the covering defence for him to waltz over near the posts for Aled Thomas to regain the lead with his 35th min conversion. Just on half time Aled slotted over his second penalty to give the Quins an interval lead of 13- 7.

The Ponty outfit are not a side to lie down and Lewis Williams converted two early penalties to level matters, and after a Quins Yellow card, it seemed the visitors had broken the Quins resilience. Not the case as they knuckled down with powerful work by their pack, the ten minutes passed without any addition to the score, and the visitors very rarely pass up a chance like this, so credit must be given to the Quins defensive qualities.

Ten minutes from time Williams held his nerve and with the help of the upright, he put over his third penalty to give the visitors a slender lead. The final passages of the match saw both sides strive to add to their scores, but sound defences took the honours and the final whistle heralded a narrow Ponty victory.

The loosing bonus point keeps the Quins in eighth place and after this fine performance against a dangerous Pontypridd side, who knows what the future holds for this young Quins team.

The next match will be televised live on BBC ScrumV next Friday away at Merthyr Kick Off 7:10pm , and all will remember our outstanding win up there last season so let’s hope for a similar performance.

EBBW Vale clinched a 22-8 win over Carmarthen Quins in a gritty battle in front of the BBC Wales cameras, at Eugene Cross Park on a cold Friday night.

Their first scoring chance came in the fifth minute. Rhys Jones’ kick was aimed for either Josh Lewis or Dafydd Howells, but both mishandled the already slippery ball.

However the referee had blown for a foul on Jones by Lee Taylor, an action that earned the Quins forward ten minutes in the bin.

Ebbw Vale couldn’t take advantage of the extra man, in fact it was the visitors who took a 12^th minute lead via an Aled Thomas penalty, and just before Taylor returned to the field, Toby Fricker was denied a try after Ebbw’s Lee Taylor did well to hold him up over the line.

It looked like that Ebbw Vale had taken the lead on 27 minutes when a length of the field move culminated in Fricker finding a gap and diving over. However, after a consultation with the TMO, it was disallowed after Ross Jones was judged to have made a tip tackle in the build-up. So instead of being perhaps 7-3 up, Ebbw were still 3-0 down and had Jones in the bin to boot.

Ebbw Vale had to settle for a penalty goal instead, Rhys Jones kicking from an angle to level the scores.

Jones had another go to try to give his side an interval lead, an ambitious attempt from 55 metres out that was on target but didn’t have the distance.

But deep into added on time, Fricker finally got his try, burrowing his way over with Jones converting putting the score to 10-3 at the break.

They extended their advantage 12 minutes into the second half. It was an excellent passing move that ended in Dafydd Howells diving over in the corner and Jones converting well.

Carmarthen kept on attacking, desperately looking for a way back into the game, but each time they were met with a blanket defence as Ebbw forced them into errors.

Eventually they were rewarded. Jac Price, who had only been on the field for two minutes, scoring the try, with the conversion going wide.

But the home side cemented the win in the final minutes with a Rhys Jones penalty.

Our festive derby fixture against Llandovery RFC has been selected by BBC SCRUMV to be a televised fixture. The fixture will now move from Saturday 29th December at 2:30pm and will now be played on Friday 28th December – 7:15pm kick off.

I hope you will all join us at the park to get behind the squad for the last fixture of 2018.

#mightyquins #quinsfamily

Swansea 21 Quins 17

image by Dragon Tales Photography

Having lead for most of the match, the second half saw a series of mystery decisions by officials and players, and a denied try at the death, let Swansea in for a lucky four points. Early Quins pressure was rewarded when after a forward surge, Torin Myhill was credited with the score for Steff Marshall to convert. Almost from the restart, The St.Helens outfit were awarded a penalty for Steff Williams to claw three points back. Again from the Quins restart, Swansea’s indiscipline gave Steff Marshall the chance to increase his side’s lead with an 8th min penalty.A series of Quins power drives kept play in the home half and only desperate defence prevented a score. A Swansea raid into the Quins 22 won them a penalty and from a quick tap and go the Quins were caught out and let T. HAND through to score an easy try. Williams levelled the score with the conversion.The Quins were able to win and keep most of the ball only to be denied with some sloppy passing and decision making, and on the half hour mark,power play saw the referee award the Quins a penalty try and another seven points. The home side were awarded a penalty for Williams to convert to see the sides change round with the Quins 17 points to 10 ahead.

Swansea had the use of the wind in the second period but failed to dent the Quins defence, More tight play gave the supporters little to enthuse about right up to the 75th min when from a Swansea catch and drive line out, The Quins were caught napping and the home side darted through to score a fortunate try which went unconverted but gave them a fortunate lead.Another home penalty meant that the Quins had to go for a try, and they pilled on the pressure and from what appeared to be a Quins try the spontaneous reaction of the Quins pack was dashed when the referee failed to see what had happened and blew for time to see a travesty and the Quins could only come away with a losing bonus point which dropped them to 5th place in theLeague when a victory would have taken then up to second spot. The Quins paid the price for not taking the chances on offer and must be far more clinical in future.

 

Next up is an away trip to Ebbw Vale in Friday 23rd November – kick off 7:15pm

Quins  41    Neath  14

Torrential rain in the hours prior to the game would have caused a cancellation at most grounds, but such is the improved drainage at the Park, the conditions underfoot were amazing, and the handling by both sides was quite brilliant. Minutes before the kick off the rain stopped and gave both sets of supporters hope of an open game, which turned out to be the case.

From the first set piece, the Quins eight signalled their intentions and pushed the Neath pack back a full ten meters and gained a 4th minute penalty. Up stepped Aled Thomas and took his points tally for the Quins past the 600 mark. A Neath passing bout took play into the Quins 22 but as always their tackling was first class and the danger was averted. Neither side wanted to keep the ball tight and as attacks were stopped, counter attacks developed to the delight of both sets of supporters.

The Quins scrums and line outs were soon on top, keeping most of the early play in the Neath half, giving scrum half Gareth Rees ample opportunity to shine and after 16 minutes he was able to snipe over for the opening try for Aled Thomas to convert. A series of Quins power drives and good tactical kicking kept the Neath side deep in their own half and after 24 minutes, Aled Thomas slotted over his second penalty.

From the possession the Quins were winning, they were always dangerous and when Aled Thomas joined the line, he made a fine break taking play up to the visitors line. From the resulting set piece, a powerful drive gave Gareth Rees the chance to pick up and weave his way over for his second try. Aled Thomas took the Quins total up to 20 with the kick.

More of the same gave Neath very little chance to create any thing and the sides changed ends with the Quins promising to run riot. An early second period Quins attack saw the Neath defence fail to gather and play was driven into the Vicarge corner, and when two scrums went the Quins way, their power play gave the referee no alternative other than to award a penalty try and seven points.

The Neath side found it difficult to cope with the Quins power drives and when play was taken up to the Neath line the Quins power play was rewarded with their second penalty try and with it the match bonus point.

From a Neath break down, inside the Quins half, several players handled with neat interpassing the ball ended up in Gareth Rees hands and he was able to make 30 meters to go over under the post for his hattrick. Aled Thomas added the conversion.

To Neaths credit they did not collapse and after a series of dangerous passing moves, Garin Lloyd was able race over in the corner. Ed Howley added the points from the touch line. The Neath support were able to encourage their favourites to new heights and Mike Evans was able to cross for their second try which Ed Howley converted. With all their substitutes on, the game ended with a victory for the Quins which moves them up to 4th spot in the Premiership.

Such is the form of the team at the moment several players were quite outstanding and it would be difficult to pick the Man of the Match.

Next Friday night the team travel to St Helens to take on Swansea – Kick Off 7:15pm

If you are missing rugby on Saturday afternoon why not join us in the Club for Wales v Australia – Kick Off 5:20pm – Happy Hour prices and Snacks available

Quins  35     R G C  22

Fielding the same starting line up as last week, the Quins put in their best performance  to date, to out gun and out play their North Walian visitors.

The Park was at its immaculate best and the playing conditions were ideal for both sides expansive approach. The Quins pack were quick to settle and never took a backward step all afternoon and took the line honours by winning their own throw and seriously disrupting the gogs advantage. Both sets of backs had early touches and pace was going to be the order of the day, testing either sides defence. What has been a feature of the Quins play this season is their ferocious tackling, and ability to counter attack from the results of this. Elis Lloyd was in his element and an early turnover won a penalty for Aled Thomas to register the first score with a 30 meter penalty.

The Gogs were always dangerous when in possession and from a break in their own half, a chip ahead resulted in a very lucky bounce being gathered by former Quins star, Dion Jones to race over under the posts. Billy McBride converted. From the restart the well-placed kick enabled to the Quins back row to win possession and their powerful surge took them into the Vicarage corner for Dale Ford to touch down for an unconverted try and regain the lead.

A 25 minute penalty gave Billy McBride the chance to win back the lead. Again the restart saw the Quins gather and charge up to the visitors line, only to be thwarted by a resolute defence and the danger passed.

The Quins power play took them up to the visitors line, and from the resulting set piece, all expected a scrum drive but Liam Davies fooled the Gogs cover, and spread the ball to his right for his backs to move quick ball out to Dale Ford who darted over in the corner for a well taken try. Aled Thomas converted from the touch line changing the lead for the fifth time, giving the half time advantage to the Quins.

The interval talk had its desired effect as the Quins went on the offensive, and from a Gog line out throw in, Torin Myhill was quick to pounce on their mistake and burst into the 22 to give Shaun Jones a well timed pass and his power and pace took him the 22 meters to go over for a cracking try. Aled Thomas increased the Quins lead with his third kick.

More Quins dominance kept play in the Visitors half and the Gogs found it difficult to handle. Aled Thomas put over his forth successful kick. With the forth bonus point try in sight the Quins stepped up their pressure and with injury time approaching a 50 meter touch finder saw a line out 5 meters out. The Quins line again made it difficult for the visitors to control and a Quins drive gave Hadyn Pugh the chance to crash over for a true captains score. Alad Thomas was on target with his 5th success.

An unfortunate injury halted play for several minutes and saw Dion Jones being stretchered off. The Quins had taken their foot off the gas and this let the visitors in for Jordon Scott and Cam Davies to score what can only be described as consolation tries, and after 30 minutes of extra time the whistle ended the match.

This well deserved five points made up for the disappointment of the Aberavon result and keeps the Quins in the top half of the Premier Division.

It would have been difficult to pick a Man of the Match as this was truly a team effort as the whole squad played a part in this victory, and they look forward to next weeks encounter with Bridgend at the Park with a 1.30 p.m. Kick off.

Following our early kick off the next generation of Carmarthen Quins Youth take the field in their Cup match against Llanelli Wanderers Youth Kick Off 4.30pm

Having left Carmarthen in turmoil weather wise, the Talbot Ground was comparatively calm by comparison.

The Quins faced a wizard side who had recently beaten Merthyr ,Pontypridd and Llandovery  in winning five out of their opening six matches, presenting a daunting task for the Quins. Seven changes from the Llanelli defeat, might indicate to some, that there was some indifference.

Nothing was further from the truth as this Quins side were unlucky not to come away with the spoils, as they matched the home sides set piece, and their line out trio was never mastered,  The match Programme tried to deny the referee and one linesman had any connection with Aberavon, but in a match where the Quins , except for the first half try conversion, did not have ONE kickable penalty award.

Many Quins supporters cannot remember this ever happening. Their set piece settled quickly and their line was soon on top, so the Quins play was confident and their handling safe, but it was both defenses that were in command for most of the half, giving neither sides supporters much to enthuse over.

Near the interval, a Quins period of pressure, took play into into Wizards 22, and slick passing by all the Quins backs gave Dylan Morgans the chanced he rarely misses  to crash over for the opening score. The conversion sailed narrowly wide.

With this lead and the elements in the second period, a shock was on the cards. Alas the whistle ruined  this. On the hour mark, the Quins had a player yellow carded.  A home penalty advantage continued until it was halted near the left touch line, and the referee took play back to a position 25 yards further up field than the original offence.The home side went for touch near the Quins line and from the ensuing line out, yet another  penalty to the home side, saw  a quick tap and Steff Andrews was able to scramble over for James Garland to convert and give the Wizards the lead.

The Quins response was immediate and but for a fumbled pass a score was missed. More suspect decisions kept play in the middle of the pitch and gave the Quins enthusiasm little chance of cashing in on their endeavors. Another home penalty was converted by Garland but the 5 point difference was never going to be enough to sit back on and the Quins kept plugging away up to whistle to gain a losing bonus point.

Using all their subs, it was accredit to these players that they were able to subdue any attacks the home side could muster and they could easily have snatched it at the end.

Next week RGC from North Wales are our quests at the Park with a 2.30 p.m Kick Off. so come along and support your Players