Carmarthen Quins welcomed Bonymaen to the Park last Saturday but were determined to avenge a narrow and controversial defeat earlier in the season.

The day was cool and conditions good when the game got underway and within 5 min. the Quins took the lead. Dan Hawkins took a quick tap penalty and made good ground. The ball eventually got to Daniel Gravelle, on the wing, who kicked on, chased the ball, and eventually touched it down first. Mark Jones added the points.

Carmarthen continued to attack and their forwards made any set piece play very difficult for the visitors. However, as the game progressed, it was Bonymaen who started to look dangerous and who took the lead.

Christopher Hoppe kicked a 38m. penalty and a few minutes later it was he who, broke the gain line and created space. This break aided by an Anthony Rees slip allowed Chris Gibbins clear passage to the line. Hoppe converted and the visitors were the 10-7 leaders.

Mark Jones landed a penalty to level the scores but it was a frustrated home side that went in at the break.

During half time it began raining heavily and continued to do so throughout the second period making handling much more difficult. Despite all their endeavour after the restart the Quins failed to make much headway. Too often they got bogged down and set back in their own territory by the superior tactical kicking game of Hoppe and Andrew Cousins playing for the visitors.

Towards the end of the third quarter Carmarthen did get into the opposition “22” and went through several phases falling short of the line before club stalwart, Andrew Thomas, was able to put his body on the line yet again and crash over for the try. Mark Jones converted.

Into the last quarter and it was all Carmarthen with Bonymaen just hanging on and tackling desperately just short of their try line. It eventually took Alan Mason, fresh off the bench, to crash through and off load to Daniel Rogers for the try. Mark Jones was again accurate with the boot.

Now with the Quins in complete control, the home supporters held their breath with 10 min. to go when the referee was completely flattened and took time getting up. Fortunately he was fit and bravely carried on so that the match could continue.

Carmarthen now did everything to gain a bonus try, pummelling the opposition line time after time only for the visitors to succeed with “last ditch tackles. Towards the end the supporters on the far side and his team mates were convinced that Andrew Thomas had scored his second try. However, play was brought back by the referee and the score remained 24-10 to the Carmarthen Quins when play ended.

Carmarthen were superior on the whole and they deserved their victory. It was a credit to Bonymaen, however, that they made over a hundred tackles and had a much more effective kicking game to deny the Quins a much needed bonus point.

Next Match – Bridgend Ath. Home – Jan. 19th.

Reporter – Keith Bond