The fixture last Saturday against Swansea really was turned into a game of two halves by a strong, swirling wind blowing down the Park. It also became clear very quickly, too, that when the team needs just a little bit of good fortune to go their way at this time all they do get is misfortunes galore.
In this game the fans could not doubt the commitment of their team because to a man they battled until the final whistle. They battled after losing their two hookers in the first quarter and having to play four before the end of play. They fought hard when down to 13 players on the field and of those a handful were limping and carrying knocks. They scored the final try after conceding the lead and then having even the bonus point ripped from them by the most unfortunate of bounces and the 70m. try that followed.
All of the above was to come but the home side kicked off with a strong wind at their backs and were soon in the lead with a 50m. Gareth Cull penalty. Anthony Rees was looking sound at full back and putting in some of his trademark, long touch finders, the centres were putting a few moves together and the pack were more than holding their own despite losing hooker, Aled Gravelle within ten minutes.
At the end of the first quarter, however, the Quins lost their replacement hooker, Richard Wilkes and during this time the All Whites took advantage. Firstly Nicky Thomas kicked a penalty and then soon after Jim Dixon took his opportunity when confusion at a break down allowed him freedom to run in a 70m. try.
Carmarthen pulled themselves together and were soon pressurizing the opposing line with a 5m. line out. The line out was lost but Steffan Jones knocked on, the referee played advantage and the Quins quickly shipped out the ball to Richard Carter who sped over the line. Cull added the extras and his team were back in the lead.
The game then became a little stop-start with seemingly every break down ending with a penalty but there were some bright moments created as the home half backs supplied some good ball, Tristan Davies and Jason Harries combined well at centre and at one point Nicky Thomas could be seen flying backwards as Harries charged into him and then over him. At the same time the Swansea centre pairing of Chris Shelmerdine and David Watts showed that they too could be dangerous as they ran into the strengthening wind.
However, the only further scores up until the interval came from the boot of Gareth Cull who was successful with three further penalties one of which he converted from well inside his own half. Carmarthen therefore led 19-8 but the gap was always looking too narrow with having to battle the elements in the second half.
Carmarthen Quins began well after the interval and the pack seemed to have the edge with Matt Monaghan (third hooker) doing well in his strange position. Scrum half, Justin James, made a couple of breaks and Harries and Rees counter attacked strongly. Swansea also looked dangerous at times but the home side looked as if they could hold on to their lead. Then Ellis Lloyd got sin-binned. Before he got back on the field Matt Monaghan was yellow carded, the All Whites took advantage of the now uncontested scrum and Jim Dixon found space to score his second try which Nick Thomas converted.
Into the last quarter, with the Quins still down to fourteen men and a few others limping Swansea threw everything into the attack going through the phases until, after being driven on by his pack, Alan Wyn Davies crashed over for the try that gave his side a narrow lead.
Man of the Match, Jim Dixon extended the lead with a drop goal and then Nick Thomas put his team further ahead with a penalty.
Still holding on to a bonus point Carmarthen fought back but then “Lady Luck” finally deserted them when a loose pass fell behind the intended recipient, Leigh Bevan hacked the ball forward and then after his second hack the ball bounced kindly into his arms and the Quins had conceded another 70m. try which Thomas was able to convert from beneath the posts.
Davies, Cull and Harries still hammered the opposition even with the game lost and eventually an injured Martin Morgan got the final try. With Cull now injured, Harries tried the final conversion but failed against the wind and the final score was 33-24 to the visitors.
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