The 2026-27 Super Rygbi Cymru season got underway at Carmarthen Park on Saturday, September 12, in filthy autumnal conditions.
The supporters who braved the bank were treated to a niggly clash against Cardiff RFC in the opening round of the new season. The opening exchanges were dominated by the Quins, keeping Cardiff in their own half and getting first points on the board.
With some seven minutes on the clock a Quins kick down field forced Cardiff to carry over the try line resulting in a scrum for the home team. With advantage being played in Quins’ favour, we come back for a second scrum. A dominant home scrum sees number 8 Lewys Millin charge over from the back, opening the score for the homeside. Madoc Evans adds the conversion.
7-0
A second try was seemingly minutes away. Cardiff kicked down field by outside half Evans kept the ball alive with just millimeters to spare aside the touchline. He returned the kick, which started a strong attacking display downfield by the Quins.
Winger Tomos Lewis chased his own grubber kick but was tackled just shy of the line. Momentum carried him over however the referee called a knock on earlier in the movement. Cardiff were awarded a 5m try in their own 22.
Winger Thomas Williams showed some great endeavour to take Quins back into Cardiff territory after some pressure from the away team. Working well with centre Ashton Owen they got the ball moving quickly gaining the hard yards in the opposition’s half. Winger Tomos Lewis crossed the whitewash but lost the ball over the line.
The homeside kept the pressure on, regained possession and got another attack underway through barnstorming Millin. The move resulted with centre Ashton Owen crossing for the second try of the afternoon. Evans added the conversion.
14-0
In the final moments of the second half an Ifan Davies clearing kick was charged down by Cardiff defenders. They work the ball through the hands and are awarded advantage. They kick to the corner with their first attacking opportunity on Quins’ line. The first charge was held up. Another kick to the corner results in a big drive from the Cardiff forward and their opening try of the afternoon.
14-7
Cardiff seemed to come alive in the dying moments of the first half, another attacking run into Quins territory saw fullback Matty Young cross in the far corner.
Half time: 14-12
The Quins started the second half in a similar fashion to the first, keeping pressure on the visitors and making territorial gains in their half. Jayden Brown showed some great footwork with a grubber kick to touch, and the forwards kept the pressure on the visitors.
Madoc Evans added a penalty after Cardiff’s Joe Powell was shown a yellow card.
17-12
Just moments later Cardiff are shown a second yellow, this time number 8 Aled Ward sent to the bin. Quins took advantage of the two-man overlap and worked their way back downfield. Tempers flared and Cardiff regained possession. It was Cardiff who made the most of the tension and despite their depleted numbers kicked a penalty to bring the score within two points.
17-15
With less than ten minutes remaining on the clock, Cardiff went ahead for the first time through a converted try after keeping Quins camped in their own half. Try was scored by fullback Matty Young and converted by Sonny Greenman.
17-22
It looked as though Quins would have an opportunity to hit back at the visitors as they got an attacking phase underway in Cardiff’s half.
It was the visitors who got the final word with a sprinter of a try for winger Dewi Cross bringing an end to Quins’ hopes of securing an opening victory to the new Super Rygbi Cymru season.
Final score: Quins 17 Cardiff 27
Carmarthen Quins team
15 Ifan Davies, sponsored by Tŷ Clyd Holiday Apartments, Cardigan
14 Tomos Lewis
13 Jayden Brown (Scarlets)
12 Ashton Owen, sponsored by NGN Distribution
11 Thomas Williams (Scarlets)
10 Madoc Evans (Scarlets)
9 Alfie Luger (Scarlets)
8 Lewys Millin, sponsored by Oren Construction Ltd
7 Shaun Evans (c), sponsored by Andrew Newham Builders
6 Iestyn Richards, sponsored by Hemmings Groundwork & Plant Hire
5 Lee Taylor, sponsored by Photography by Paige Taylor
4 Tom Phillips
3 Ifan James, sponsored by RB Build Ltd
2 Lewis Morgan, sponsored by Rob Thomas Landscaping & Fencing
1 Rhys Fawcett, sponsored by Sheriff’s Biltong
Replacements:
16 Jake Bowen
17 Hudson Nevin (Scarlets)
18 Yestyn Cook (Scarlets)
19 Ryan Bean, sponsored by Prime Architecture
20 Lucca Giannini, sponsored by KJ Future Electrics
21 Scott Davies, sponsored by Byron Butchers Ltd
22 Theo Rogers, sponsored by DeKIT
23 Eilir George, sponsored by Llaethdy Clos Dairies Ltd
Cardiff RFC team
15 Matty Young, 14 Joe Goodchild, 13 Tom Williams, 12 Jason Harries, 11 Dewi Cross, 10 Ben Coomer, 9 Ethan Lloyd, 8 Aled Ward, 7 Nathan Hudd, 6 Ben Fry, 5 Sean Moore, 4 Craig Hudd, 3 Thomaws Harper, 2 Alun Rees, 1 Harry Fry
Replacements: 16 Evan Nicholls-Ngasseu, 17 Louis Fletcher, 18 Joe Cowell, 19 Sonny McCabe, 20 Tirion Bowen, 21 Charlie Rainbird, 22 Sonny Greenman, 23 Iwan Pyrs-Jones
