Last Saturday a large crowd at the Park witnessed a feast of attacking rugby as Carmarthen Quins took on Narberth in another top of the table clash.

From the kick off Narberth tried to run the ball but good tackling kept them embedded in their own half. Eventually they were forced back to their own line and, when they failed to secure a bouncing ball, Ricky Richards was there to claim the touchdown. Craig Jones added the points.

A few minutes later Craig Jones was again in the action when he stepped off his right foot and broke through 30m. before taking the tackle and offloading to Alex Wilkins. Wilkins finished off the glorious move and again Jones converted.

A couple of minutes later Jones completed a 32m. penalty and it was looking “plain sailing” for the Quins. However, the Otters had different ideas and, still in the first quarter, reduced the deficit when a well executed rolling maul gave Rob Morgan the chance to dive over the line for a try.

The action did not diminish in the second quarter. After a series of Carmarthen passing moves the visitors were pushed back to their line and forced into a hurried kick. From the resulting play Chris Francis crashed over for his try.

Soon after the restart a touch finding penalty gave Narberth a line out deep in the home side’s half. The visitors claimed the line out ball and swiftly spun the ball along their backs to Tom Burnell, wide on the wing and clear through, for a try in the corner.

The Otters later benefited from another penalty to touch when some great handling from Narberth and some poor tackling by Carmarthen led to Richard Davies getting the touchdown and this time Aled Davies was successful with the conversion.

The Quins were now in a real battle but a 38m. penalty from Craig Jones stretched the lead. He then followed this up with a 75m. touch finder. The line out was disrupted and a couple of phases later Ricky Richards got his second try. Jones succeeded with his touchline conversion and the home supporters could breathe again.

The breath was short lived, however, when, as a result of a tap penalty in overtime, the ball got out to Nick Jones on the wing who passed inside to Lloyd Phillips for the score. Again Aled Davies converted and the half time score was 32 – 24 to Carmarthen Quins.

After the break it seemed as if the high scoring was going to continue when Craig Jones dummied and made the initial break before passing to Daniel Rogers who ran 30m. only to be adjudged “held up” over the line. From the 5m. scrum the home side made several unsuccessful charges before managing to push over Chris Jones for the try.

The game continued to be played at a furious pace but despite some fine runs from Josh Freeman, Jim Morgan, Matthew Monaghan and Steve Phillips Carmarthen failed to score again. Narberth in return also displayed some fine running from their centres Steve Martin and Richard Davies but their only scores came from two more successful penalties by Aled Davies.

Towards the end both sides were understandably looking tired after a hard running match following a hard season. However, they both played to the very end and must have felt so relieved when the referee finally blew up after playing 10min. extra time.

Carmarthen Quins won 37 – 30 and stand top of Division 1 West but probably only until Tonmawr play Waunarlwydd in their final game. Still the Quins have completed a season they and their supporters can feel proud of. Tovali Cup Final May 7th. Quins v. Athletic



Reporter – Keith Bond

Next Match : Athletic ()
Date:  7 May 08.

Reporter: Keith Bond