Quins Struggle against Steelmen

At this time in the season match points become very important but nevertheless Carmarthen Quins were seen to struggle in their encounter with an Ebbw Vale squad hit by injury problems. Possibly outclassed, the resolute Steelmen scrapped for every ball determined to gain any points that would help them stay in front of their local rivals, Pontypool, at the bottom of the table.

Ebbw Vale kicked off on a desperately cold afternoon but the Quins quickly went on the attack. They looked likely to score as well before a wild, long pass was thrown and they were then lucky to escape from an interception opportunity.

A period of kicking then ensued with Gareth Bowen getting the better of the territory game and the home side’s back row scavenging poor ball and looking dangerous. Trystan Mabbutt and prop, Alex Murphy, playing number 8 for the day, were particularly prominent. During this time Vale took the lead with a Gareth Bowen penalty.

Into the second quarter and the Quins backs and forwards combined to drive the ball downfield. The referee finally lost his patience with the Vale tactics of slowing ball down in the ruck, Mabbutt was yellow-carded and Gareth Cull equalised the scores with a converted penalty.

Minutes later a slightly delayed pass would have seen Jaime Davies in for a try but too early it gave the defence that extra split second to cover him into touch. Then the balance of the game turned again when Jason Harries had a kick charged down and his team were on the back foot again.

Despite having their scrums disrupted or even demolished, the home side kept themselves in the game and the Quins somehow conspired not to get good ball to their wing men who looked dangerous and having the better of their opposition. Jaime Davies and Richard Carter caused problems every time they had a run.

As the interval approached Carter did have a 40m. run only to be brought down short of the line. Sione Timani and Richard Wilkes also came up short but all this came to nothing when, with the line at their mercy, and Vale out on their legs, an unnecessary long pass was thrown two yards behind the intended men and all the build up came to nothing.

Carmarthen, possibly after some quiet words from coach, Max Howells, came out strongly for the second half. Ricky Richards worked hard at keeping the game flowing, Timani and Gavin Evans drove the team forward and Anthony Rees was a rock in defence taking and returning the high balls as Vale tried to get out of their territory.

In the third quarter Harries was again brought down short, Cull added another penalty to take the lead and then Richard Carter showed how to commit the tackler before laying the perfect ball to Harries for the easy touchdown. Cull added the extras and travelling fans could breathe a little easier.

Then came the last quarter of the match and it was beginning to look as if all those wasted opportunities were going to come back to haunt the visitors. The badly timed final passes, the interception and wayward passes, the turning down of kickable penalties to take quick ones. Surely they would not hurt Carmarthen now?

Bowen missed a penalty in front of the posts before he was substituted but then a juggled ball seemed to mesmerise the Quins defence allowing Oliver Halford to make ground before being tackled. Still the Steelmen rumbled on and eventually centre, Matt Lewis came up with the try which was unconverted.

More trouble came for the Quins when Lewis hacked the ball long and the chasers forced Ricky Richards to touch down over his own line. With Gavin Evans sidelined, the visiting pack had to thwart several scrum drives before Vale knocked on and Cull was able to relieve. Even then Nick Wakeley retuned the ball to keep up the attack and make the Quins defend desperately well into extra time.

Carmarthen Quins won the game 13-8 but it could have been much easier if their lack of precision and direction had not cost them dearly earlier in the match. The Quins have the ammunition to beat better teams than Ebbw Vale but they must “put away” teams when they get their opportunities.

Reporter: Keith Bond