- Late changes to Quins see Steff Evans replaced at fullback by Eilir George. Callum Woolley comes in off the bench to fill the empty wing berth with Dafydd Waters coming in on the bench.
- Quins lead in final minutes but Bridgend finish strongly to take the win
Quins get the 2025-26 season underway at the Brewery Field with Elis Price kicking from east to west.
Quins get an early push in Bridgend’s 22 after the home team kicked the ball straight into touch from the kick-off.
The visitors build momentum from a Lewis Morgan to Shaun Evans line out.
A strong attacking display by Quins forwards leads to a try from a driving maul, with captain Shaun Evans taking the spoils.
Elis Price adds the conversion taking the Quins seven points to nil in the lead.
0-7
Bridgend fight back from the restart, winning territory in Quins’ half and an offside infringement by the visitors sees the home team kick for territory. It’s not long before hooker Tyler Olding crosses the whitewash with outside half Fraser Jones adding the conversion.
7-7
Bridgend cross for a well-worked second try with winger Mccauley Rowley making the hard yards from just inside the halfway line, dancing his way out of an ankle tap tackle before finding winger, and captain, Chris Williams who crosses for the five.
12-7
As we head into the second quarter, a period of loose play sees the ball change hands from blue to amber with neither side capitalising on the other’s mistake.
As defences shore up it is Bridgend that come out on top, retaining possession but it’s Quins who win a penalty at the ruck for a Bridgend infringement.
Iestyn Richards comes on for Lewys Millin as he received attention for a blood injury.
The second quarter was a scoreless affair with play taking place between the 22s, until the final minutes of the first half.
Quins had a couple of opportunities to add to the scoreboard, reaching just inches short of Bridgend’s tryline but didn’t make the most of the chances handed to them.
Lewys Millin makes a timely return to the field as the Quins set for a five-metre line out. Lock Lee Taylor gathers Lewis Morgan’s throw, and the visitors are looking strong on the march.
Bridgend are penalised for pulling down the maul with lock Evan Hill sent to the sin bin. The Quins continue to reset as Bridgend face a series of penalties allowing Quins time and space in their 22.
With continued pressure, and a few near-misses, Quins eventually get the try with Millin crossing under the sticks. Price adds the conversion.
12-14
Bridgend have the final say of the first half. A five-metre line out leads to a driving maul which Quins defend strongly. The home side recycles the ball, gets it out the back of the maul and out to scrum half Jones who’s on the wing. He secures a neat touchdown in the corner to put Bridgend back in the lead at half time.
17-14
Half time
Bridgend get play underway for the second half. Price fumbles the gathering of the restart giving Bridgend a scrum penalty in Quins’ 22. The home team make wholesale changes to the front row ahead of the scrum.
Outside half Fraser Jones kicks a long-range penalty to take the home team six points clear.
20-14
Bridgend gifted Quins a scrum penalty inside their 22 after a knock on by their fullback. Despite showing a solid foundation, and pushing the Bridgend defence hard, the Quins took their time to penetrate the defensive line, eventually seeing XXXXX cross the whitewash. Price adds the conversion to take us back in the lead.
20-21
Callum Woolley is replaced by Daf Waters. Props Sam O’Connor and Ifan James replace Rhys Fawcett and Connor Allen. Ryan Bean comes on for Lee Taylor in the second row.
Quins maintain a grip on territory, playing the final quarter in Bridgend’s half but don’t manage to turn points into pressure. Bridgend think they’re in with a runaway interception from inside the halfway line, but they’re called back offside.
Quins push further ahead with a penalty from Price but it isn’t enough to secure the victory.
Bridgend find strength and determination in the closing minutes putting Quins under untold pressure.
A kick downfield sees the home side with a foothold in Quins’ 22 and replacement Evan Yardley strikes across the whitewash. It’s a try. It’s heartache for the Quins.
25-24
Luke Price adds the conversion and despite there still being time to play it’s the end of the road for the Quins at the Brewery Field. A defeat in the opening round and a five-day turnaround to round two, on the road to Cardiff.
Final score 27-24
Scorers;
0-5 Shaun Evans
0-7 Elis Price
5-7 Tyler Olding
7-7 Fraser Jones
12-7 Chris Williams
12-12 Lewys Millin
12-14 Elis Price
17-14 Fraser Jones
Half time
20-14 Fraser Jones
20-19 Quins try
20-21 Elis Price
20-24 Elis Price
25-24 Evan Yardley
27-24 Luke Price
TEAMS
Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Edd Howley 14. Jake Thomas 13. Joseph Gatt 12. Tommy Morgan 11. Mccauley Rowley 10. Fraser Jones 9. Chris Williams (capt)
- Harry Olding 2. Tyler Olding 3. Liam Tobias 4. James Richards 5. Evan Hill 6. Alfie Llewellyn 7. Thomas Jevons 8. Benji Williams
Replacements: 16. Evan Yardley 17. Marc Thomas 18. Nathan Evans 19. Barnaby Waddell 20. Dylan Burrows 21. Harvey Nash 22. Luke Price 23. Lloyd Wilkins
Carmarthen Quins XV: 15 Eilir George, 14 Callum Woolley (Scarlets), 13 Ifan Davies, 12 Jac Howells, 11 Tomas Williams (Scarlets), 10 Elis Price (Scarlets), 9 Rhods Davies, 1 Rhys Fawcett, 2 Lewis Morgan, 3 Connor Allen, 4 Tom Phillips, 5 Lee Taylor, 6 Ben Williams (Scarlets), 7 Shaun Evans (Capt), 8 Lewys Millin
Replacements: 16 Sam O’Connor (Scarlets), 17 Lewys Jones, 18 Ifan James, 19 Ryan Bean, 20 Iestyn Wood, 21 Iestyn Richards, 22 Rhods Lewis (Scarlets), 23 Dafydd Waters
