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Chinnor RFC 29 – 22 Carmarthen Quins

Despite the 5 hour journey to Oxfordshire, the squad were able to shrug of the rigours of the trip and produce a performance that pleased the coaches and supporters.

All the party were used and gave every indication that they will hold their own in the Premiership. Their opponents were a respected outfit from the English First Division, and appeared a bigger pack, only to be met with a Quins squad who would not be beaten.

From the opening set piece it was pleasing to see the that the Quins eight were not going to messed with, to the surprise of the home support. The opening score was as a result of a powerful surge by the home eight for Rupert White to touch down and outside half Geoffrey Small to convert in the 9th minute. This was matched three minutes later when the Quins pack smashed upfield for Ben Leung to crash over, for Steff Marshal to level matters. Marshall was able to use the tricky wind to gain valuable ground, but it was the boot of Small to add the next points with a 30 meter penalty to restore the lead for the home side.

After a series of line outs that both sides used to gain ground, Steffan Marshall slotted over a 35 minute penalty to again level the scores. The dreaded extra injury time curse struck and the home side scored their second try when centre James Beaty crossed for Small to improve and give the English side an interval lead of 17-10. The expected changes by both sides, who wanted to give game time to most of their squads, proved just how strong both clubs were going to be for the season ahead.

As early as the 43rd minute Nick Reynolds sliced through the home defence to score a well taken try for again Steffan Marshall to convert to level matters. Even with the changes, the Quins pack were more than holding their own with Haydn Pugh and Lee Taylor controlling the line out and their half backs finding yards with shrewd kicking. Mid way through the half the home side regained the lead when Roddy Mathews toughed down for Small to add the conversion, back came the Quins for Morgan Griffiths to make many yards, taking play up to the home line and from quick possession Aron Hemmings found Richard Bloomfield in support to dive over.

The vital conversion was missed, leaving the Quins two points adrift. The final ten minutes saw the Quins confine play deep in the home 22 and a desperate clearance by the home side saw play move into the Quins 22 with the 80 minutes up, Robert James was able to scramble over for the deciding score,

The match has proved a valuable exercise for the Squad and all look forward to the coming season but due to various reasons it will be well into October before the Park will see the teams first home match

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Past Player Profile – Emyr Jones

Emyr joined us in August 1998 after we had won promotion into 3 of the Welsh League, from Newcastle Emlyn.

Season 1998/90 Emyr was to able to show his class and go on to be one of the Quins notable signings. He scored 12 tries in his first season, and his displays led to the Quins only losing one of their 26 League matches and go on to top the Division and promotion. There were many outstanding matches. Resolven had visited the Park and after a difficult match the narrowly lost 28- 27. The return fixture was for the following Saturday, and with them having an unbeaten home record, the Quins were in for a difficult encounter. Such was the resolve of the team that they outplayed them to the tune of 37 -15, 5 tries to nil. Emyr  was outstanding. He scored a try in our record win over Kidwelly, 75 – 3 and 13 tries., And of course, Emyr’s hat trick against Max Boyce’s Glynneath in their victory by 76 – 10.  He went on to play in 24 of the 26 League games.

The 1999/00 season, the Club wanted to end the century on a high and they certainly did just that. Emyr scored a try in a 10 try, 68 – 10 win over Ystradgynlais and went on to score 26 more tries, which included 4 against Mountain Ash and 3 against Llantrisant. He played in all 26 League matches and the team finished runners up in the League with only three defeats, with 11 win doubles, the perfect way to end the Twentieth Century.

The season 2000/1 saw the Club play in the second tier of Welsh Rugby, Division 1. Emyr scored 13 tries in the teams 28 wins out of the 30 League matches, to finish 4th of the 16 team Division. They set their stall out with a 15-15 draw with Aberavon in the opening match, and Emyr’s 2 tries in the Quins win over Llandovery by 29 – 22, and a hat trick over  l Treorchy a little later, and 2 more a week later against Llanharan.

Season 2001/02 The Quins, finished 3rd in the 17 Club division and again Emyr played in all 32 League matches and was now playing in the centre. He scored 17 tries leading up to us finishing in 3rd   place, just missing out on promotion. Emyr scored 4 tries against Merthyr when we beat them by 85 – 5. We won 23 games with 1 draw to finish in 3rd place and again just missed out on promotion.

Season 2002/3. Emyr opened his season with a try in the 4th match , Blackwood in the Park, this was to be followed by the seasons highest scoring match, Treorchy, in the Park,  74 – 10, and by strange coincidence, the next  match,four days later against Rumney ,ended with a 74 points to 7 victory. This was followed by 25 wins out of 34 League games to finish in 3rd place and Promotion to the Premier Division. Included in this was a win double over Llandovery , which is always good news and 7 other doubles. Emyr scored two tries in games against,Beddau, Aberavon and Pontypool. Promotion into the Premier Division was our reward, after scoring 140 tries, Club record for a season.

2003/04   We joined 15 other Clubs in the top tier of the Welsh Leagues and won 17 and 1 draw of the 30 matches to finish in 5th place . Emyr crossed for 10 tries along with several ‘Man of the match’ awards. He scored a try in the seasons highest score, against Ebbw Vale 46 – 6.  Emyr played in 27 of the 30 league matches, and was in the side that beat Pontytpridd 27 – 16 and narrowly lost by one point at Sardis Road, and another Double over Pontypool.

Season 2004/05, Emyr played in all 32 matches and scored 10 tries, and the second match in, was our visit to Sardis Road, on a wet and miserable afternoon, the team were to blast them off the field and silence the normally noisy home crowd. Our 23 – 0 win was the first time in living memory that they failed to register a point at home. Emyr was quite outstanding, and crossed for a try. The side were successful in the home return match by 28 – 13, making us the only side to get the double over them that season. The very next match, we registered the Quins highest Welsh Cup score of 81 – 0 over Tredegar Ironsides and yes Emyr crossed for a try there. He also scored a try in the Cup game against Cardiff and won 17 – 11. Another Club Record was created when we recorded our highest draw 28 -28 against Swansea.

Season 2005/6 With only 9 wins out of 30, relegation followed. Emyr scored his 100th League try agaist Pontypool, and still managed a win over Pontypridd in the Park by 32 -15. And the double over Pontypool.

Season 2006/7  Emyr played in 18 of the 22 matches and we won 16 of the 22 to finish in 3rd place, He added to his 6 tries, with his one dropped goal up in Dunvant, and his try there took his total tries up to 103 League Tries.

Over the past few seasons he was a member of the Welsh Fire Brigade team.

His playing record – Played 84 Premier games, 158 other League games, 29 Cup games and 8 friendly’s, making a total of 279 matches – click here for Emyr’s full playing stats.

Another Mighty Quin!

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Past Player Profile – Dylan Morgans

 

Dylan joined us in January 2013, another Pembrokeshire product to join our ranks. In the seven seasons he was with us, he developed into a strong running, powerful, try scoring finisher who gets better with age. His fearless approach has meant injuries have prevented more appearances.

Joining us mid season in 2012/13, he was on the losing side only twice in 12 Premier matches and scored  tries against Aberavon and at Sardis Road for us to finish up in 6th place  in the Premier Division. In season 2013/14, a number of injuries restricted his appearances to 9 of the 22 League matches, and we finished runners up by just one point to Pontypridd, our highest placing to date, Dylan has contributed 7 tries in his 9 games.

In 2014/15 Dylan played in 17 of the 22 Premier matches and the second of his two tries at the Brewery Field, was the Clubs 1.600 try in the Welsh League on Sept 20/2014. At Parc y Scarlets on February 1st 2015, he scored another two tries in the Clubs record League victory of 91 / 7. He played in the Cup Semi Final and narrowly lost to Bridgend 20-22 and the Club finished 6th in the Premier.

In 2015/16 Dylan played in 20 of the 22 Premier matches. These included the Cup victories over Newport, 30-12, R G C,25-19, semi-final , Bedwas 23-13  and the Millenium Final  defeat to Llandovery 18-25,  and the semi final of the Fosters Cup defeat to Bedwas  This was the season when the  value of a try was six points.

2016/17. An injury on Oct 1st versus Cross Keys kept Dylan on the side lines up to the end of February. A good win against Merthyr in the semi final of the Fosters Cup mid March signalled his return and a narrow defeat in the Final against Bedwas 18-23. Dylan played in only 9 of the 21 League matches.

2017/18. This was the season when the Division was split after half the matches played. Having finished in the top half the Quins went on to win 10 of their remaining 15 games. The highlight being their televised away game up in the League Champions back yard, The Wern, Merthyr, by a convincing 33-12 with Dylan coming on in the second half to cause all sorts of problems for the ‘Chiefs’  outfit.

2018/19 Dylan came into his own and crossed for 12 tries, with his two scores at Sardis Road, Pontypridd, and our 32-12 victory causing the home side’s biggest defeat of the season, when little was heard of the famous “Ponty Chant”.  He went on to score 12 tries for the season and plenty of promise for the future.

His playing record to date;

Played 108 premier League ; 26 Cup matches and 7 Friendlies; He has scored 39 tries for 199 points.

Dylan has now decided to finish his rugby playing days to spend more time with his family and we wish Dylan all the very best in whatever he decides to do with the spare time he now has, the Club its Management and all its Supporters thank Dylan for his total commitment he showed whilst playing for “The Mighty Quins”.

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Past Player Profile – The Legend Paul Arnold

Paul joined us in August 2001, when we were in Division 1. He had previously played for Dunvant. Swansea and 16 caps for Wales. He played against England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Barbarians. Australia and others. His 6Ft 6ins frame had given him the chance to shine in the line out and his fitness level was the envy of most. Our then Coach, Peter Elsom was responsible for persuading Paul to join us and his signing was to prove one of the best we have made. Paul would turn up for training and matches, with a plastic bag, holding an Apple and a Banana and would always give 100% for the club.

 

He only missed 1 of the 32 League matches in his opening season 2001/2, scoring tries against Llanharan and Blackwood, and after a victory over Llangennech in the Tovali Cup semi final narrowly losing to Llandovery in the final. In those days we beat Merthyr 85-5 in the Park and the double over them at the Wern by 31-10.

The following season 2003/4, Paul played in 33 of the 34 League matches, and scored 9 tries to create a Club record for a Lock Forward and certainly helped us into a promotion place and the Premier Division for the first time. An opening match win by 53-3 over Beddau and 25 other victories, led to us rattling up 140 tries and 1139 points, and two league wins in successive weeks by 73 points in each, against Treorchy and Rhumney were influenced by Paul’s contribution.

Season 2003/4, saw us take on 15 other top Welsh Clubs, The challenge was set and to the squads credit they responded to that challenge. After losing the opening matches to Cardiff and Pontypridd, they ran in 6 wins on the trot with Paul’s dominance in the line out, immense. He scored 6 tries to take us into 5th place in our first season in the Premier. An added bonus was Paul’s try against  Llandovery in the Tovali Cup semi final win and taking the Cup in the Final against Llangennech.

Season 2004/5 saw the Quins win their opening 5 matches which included that famous evening on Sept 11th at Sardis Road when the team slammed Pontypridd 23-NIL, and Paul’s efforts helped the Quins complete the double over Ponty with a 28-13 victory in the Park. This was Paul’s first win and double over them after many attempts. Paul scored a try in the Clubs record Welsh Cup win away at Tredegar Ironsides by 81-0 and was in the side that beat Cardiff in the next round of the Welsh Cup. We finished in 7th place and our 84-7 win over Newbridge was our record League win up to then.
Paul played in 31 of the 32 League matches.

Season 2005/6 was a season not to be remembered as with only 9 win out of 30, relegation followed, but a plus was our win over Pontypridd  by 31-15 with Paul playing in 18 of the 22 matches.

Season 2006/7 with 16 wins out of 22 took us into 2nd place and just missed out on promotion back to the Premier. Paul played in all 22 League games and was in the side that won the Tovali Cup.

Another second place in season 2007/8 saw us win 17 of the 22 matches. Third time lucky was the slogan for us gaining Promotion back to the Premier in 2008/9 with Paul playing a major part in the Clubs success once again and another Tovali Cup win against Loughor, a feather in Paul’s cap.

His stay with us was a highlight for all Quins supporters, and an inspiration to all who played with him. Paul was seen in Tenby the other day for the ‘Iron Man’ run and true to form, under his arm was his trademark apple and banana, which had seen him right throughout his career. He is a force in these Iron man events as he was on the rugby field.

A true MIGHTY QUINN

 

PAUL ARNOLD STATS:

Date of birth:     28th April 1968

Place of birth:   Morriston, Swansea

Position:            Lock/No8

QUINS CAREER

  • Joined the Quins in the Summer of 2001
  • Captained the Quins in Seasons 2002/03 and 2003/04
  • Has played a total of 240 games for the Quins 1st XV
  • Played a key role in the Quins gaining promotion to the Premiership in 2003/04 and regaining their Premiership status in 2009/10
  • He is the quickest player in the Premiership to achieve 100 League games missing just 4 matches in 104 games in the period between 01.09.2001 and 09.10.2004
  • Was involved in the team’s highest Welsh Cup score against Tredegar Ironsides on the 18th December 2004 (also scoring a try) which they won by 81pts – 0
  • Is the highest capped player to have joined the Quins at the end of an international career

 

RUGBY CAREER

Has played for Swansea; Carmarthen Quins; Ebbw Vale and Dunvant

  • Played for Swansea RFC from 1987-2000 and 2009-2011
  • Played a total of 308 games for Swansea scoring 41 tries
  • Has played for the Barbarians; Wales Under 21; Wales ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams

 

                                                 INTERNATIONAL HONOURS

 WALES: Gained the first of his 16 Welsh caps in 1989 and played his last international game in 1997

 

Research on international honours carried out by John Lewis,

Chairman of the Carmarthen Quins Supporters Club

 

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Welcome to the Mighty Quins Geraint!

Huge warm welcome to Geraint Llewellyn who joins us from Tata Steel. The full back who can also play on the wing has previously had spells with the Neath and Cardiff RFC. An excellent attacking full back who is a 7’s specialist will bring an exciting dimension to our back line this coming season.

Geraint said ‘I am really excited to be linking up with the Quins. I have played against the Quins the last two years for Tata and the brand of rugby they play and their professionalism really turned my head. Now the hard work starts, but I really can’t wait to get started’.

Give Ollie a follow on twitter @Geraint10llew

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Past Player Profile – Andrew ‘Tommo’ Thomas

Andrew joined the Quins in July 2003, when we were promoted into the Premier Division, after spells with Tenby, and Aberavon. When with the ‘Wizards’ he gained more ‘man of the match’ awards than any of their other players, and went on to emulate that honour with the Quins. Many believe that if records were kept, he would be the leading contender for the whole Premier Division and it was for this reason that he was selected to play for the world famous Barbarians.

His opening League match was against his former side, Aberavon, at the Talbot ground on Sept 6-03.  He crossed for two tries in the Park against Ebbw Vale in the Park on Nov 11-03 and went on to score 30 more tries in his ten seasons with us. In his opening season he played in the Tovali Cup winning team against Llangennech, 29-10, and Dropped a goal up in  Ebbw Vale, and went on to play in 21 Premier Division matches that season. In his second season,  on Sept 11-04, he played a major part in  that amazing night at Sardis Road, in the drizzle the Quins ran out winners by 23 points to NIL. The nil was the first time for the Ponty side to fail to register a point on their hallowed turf, in living memory. The eleven days between the 11th and 22nd of December-04  were memorable for us and Andrew, as we were the only side to complete the double over Pontypridd that season with a home 28-13 win in the Park, a week later we registered  our record Welsh Cup victory with an 81-0 win against Tredegar Ironsides and Andrew scored two tries, and four days later we beat Pontypool in the Park, 34-0. He scored 2 tries against Swansea on Feb- 2- 04, and his SECOND drop goal a week later against Cardiff in the Park. He went on to play in 28 Premier matches that season.

With just 9 wins in season 05-06, relegation was inevitable, but again we managed a win against Pontypridd in the Park by 32-15.

We finished runners up in the then Division 1, with Andrew playing in 21 Leagues games. And he slotted his 3rd Drop Goal down in Narberth to win 26-23. Runner up again in 07-08 with Andrew scoring 7 tries and playing in our Tovali Cup victory against the Athletic and crossing for a try.

In the following Season 08-09, we lost only one League game to Tonmawr 3-5 and regained promotion back to the Premier. Andrew scored THREE tries in our Cup victory over Maesteg Quins and went on to score another 5 tries, helping us get back in the Premier. He played in the third  consecutive Tovali Cup victory over Loughor 4 April 2009.

After an average 2009/10 season, Andrew played in all our Cup matches, Athletic, Blackwood, Glamorgan Wanderers all Away , up to that never to be forgotten Semi Final at The Brewery Field, and he played a huge part in a 41-12 thrashing of Pontypridd. And on to the Millennium for the Final. We were desperately unlucky against Llanelli.

Season 2010/11 was not one of our best, but again we beat Pontypridd but without Andrew who was injured, but the season saw Andrew play his 100th Premier Division match up at Tonmawr and end his season with 2 tries up at Llandovery.

Season 2011/12 saw him pass another land mark by playing 200 league matches for the Quins, a rare feat these days, and crossing for 4 tries, and yet another victory over Pontypridd in the Park, his 5th win over them, not many, if any players have achieved this in their careers. He played 259 times for the Quins in all categories and score 32 tries, a magnificent record and he will always be referred to as a true MIGHTY QUIN.

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Welcome Home Mogs!

We are delighted to welcome Morgan Griffiths back to Carmarthen Quins after a season with Cardiff RFC. Griffiths who joined the Quins in 2013 has already made 84 appearances in the mighty Quins jersey scoring 28 tries. We definitely missed his pace, power and finishing skills last season and he is brilliant to have him back on board.

Morgan has also represented Cardiff Blues A, Scarlets Premiership Select in cross border competitions.

Mogs said ‘I had a pretty frustrating season last year with injury and when I got fit after Christmas I didn’t have the chances to play, I was really grateful to the Quins for giving me game time on permit. Playing on permit made me think I played my best rugby for the Quins and the chance to move back home to the family business and link up with the Quins was just too good an opportunity to turn down, so I am delighted to be back and looking forward to a big season’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Give Mogs a follow on twitter @morgjgriff