Llandovery kick off the first of the two festive derbies, playing towards town on a cold but dry December afternoon.
Quins pack pushed the Drovers off their own ball in the scrum, but they managed to collect the ball and set up a run for what looked like their first try. We come back however to an earlier offence with Quins now in possession just outside their own 22.
A Quins line out inside Drovers’ 22 sees the home team go on an attacking drive towards the try line. The pack looks strong, controlling the rolling maul, we’re stopped just short of the whitewash, but we hold on to possession. The ball is moved left, then right, before a sweeping pass out to Callum Woolley on the wing. He crosses unopposed for the first try of the afternoon.
5-0
Llandovery return the favour straight from the restart. They work their way into Quins territory, win a penalty and start their attack. The ball is worked through the hands, metres are won, they inch ever closer, and flanker Dan Gemine crosses the whitewash. Ioan Hughes adds the conversion.
5-7
With 25 minutes on the clock, Llandovery are back on the attack in Quins’ 22. Their chasing a second try, but they’re possession is lost, and fullback Steff Evans puts in a mammoth clearing kick downfield.
Back in Quins territory, the home team is penalised for an offside infringement and Drovers kick for the corner. They win the ball at the top of line out, and get the ball out to their attacking players.
The ball is shipped left; Evans gets the tips of his fingers to the ball for an interception but it’s not to be. It’s a try instead for winger Aaron Warren and a ten-minute spell in the bin for Evans.
5-12
Quins get straight back into Llandovery territory, themselves looking for a second try. The ball is worked through the hands, left to right, right to left. Llandovery’s defensive effort is solid however, and they turnover the ball. Quins’ opportunity goes astray on this occasion.
14-man Quins get another bite of the cherry before half time. Price kicks for territory and we get an attacking phase underway from the line out. Once again Llandovery’s defence holds strong, but they’re penalised for an offside offence which hands Quins another line out opportunity. The forwards keep the ball tight this time. They’re stopped from crossing the whitewash, Price makes a break, but the ball is turned over.
Evans returns to the field and possession is back in Quins hands. We make territorial gains, work our way back into Llandovery’s 22. The ball is worked through the hands and finds its way to Woolley one again. There’s no stopping him; he crosses for his second try of the afternoon!
10-12
Half time score: Quins 10 Llandovery 12
Quins opening the second half scoring. The opening ten minutes is spent camped in Llandovery’s territory. A first opportunity comes with a kick to the corner and line out. The throw is slightly long, and we can’t keep hold of it, allowing Llandovery an opportunity to clear.
We come back almost immediately though, keeping the pressure on the Drovers. They’re penalised for an offside infringement. Price kicks to the corner once again and this time Iestyn Richards gathers the ball in the line, the forwards keep it tight, making the hard yards. We can’t quite get over the line, so the ball is passed back and gets out to Gabe McDonald who’s found space out wide. He crosses claiming Quins’ third try of the afternoon. Price adds the conversion.
17-12
Osian Williams replaces Iestyn Richards.
Llandovery spend a decent chunk of time entrenched in Quins territory but are unable to make a dent on the scoreboard. Evans and Jac Howells see space behind Drovers’ defensive line and make a break into their half. We’re called back however for an earlier penalty on the 10m line after a forward pass.
The Quins pack pushes Llandovery off their ball in the scrum and Howells, playing at scrum half today instead of his usual centre position, makes a break and scores a great individual try. Price adds the conversion.
24-12
As we head towards the final ten minutes Llandovery have a foothold on the game in Quins territory. They are composed, keeping ball in hand, and winning the territorial battle. They attack the line, Quins defence holds strong before Corey Baldwin spots a gap and crosses under the sticks. Hughes adds the conversion.
24-19
From the restart Llandovery have the bit between their teeth. They get straight back into Quins’ 22 and Adam Warren crosses for their fourth try, taking the lead with just ten minutes left on the clock.
24-26
Evans gets us over the halfway line. He finds McDonald who passes out to Iestyn Wood. He makes a break. Llandovery are penalised offside, and Price steps up for a kick at goal. He nails it despite the wind initially knocking the ball off the tee.
27-26
Quins are awarded a scrum penalty on Llandovery’s ten metre line. A huge moment and the crowd know it. Price kicks to touch, it’s a Quins line out just inside Drovers’ half. We keep the ball tight, remain composed. Drovers desperately look for a turnover, but Quins remain defiant.
Evans kicks the ball off the field and the referee brings the game to an end. A derby victory for the Quins, the perfect Christmas gift!
Final score: Quins 27 Llandovery 26
Scorers
5-0 Try Callum Woolley
5-5 Try Dan Gemine
5-7 Conversion Ioan Hughes
5-12 Try Aaron Warren
10-12 Try Callum Woolley
15-12 Try Gabe McDonald
17-12 Conversion Elis Price
22-12 Try Jac Howells
24-12 Conversion Elis Price
24-17 Try Corey Baldwin
24-19 Conversion Ioan Hughes
24-24 Try Adam Warren
24-26 Conversion Ioan Hughes
27-26 Penalty Elis Price
Quins
15 Steff Evans, 14 Iori Badham (Scarlets), 13 Ifan Davies, 12 Gabe McDonald (Scarlets), 11 Callum Woolley (Scarlets), 10 Elis Price (Scarlets), 9 Jac Howells, 1 Rhys Fawcett, 2 Lewis Morgan, 3 Ifan James, 4 Ryan Bean, 5 Lee Taylor, 6 Iestyn Richards, 7 Shaun Evans (c), 8 Lewys Millin
Replacements; 16 Lewis Jones, 17 Gruff Williams, 18 Connor Allen, 19 Iestyn Wood, 20 Ben Williams (Scarlets), 21 Osian Williams (Scarlets), 22 Kieran Edwards, 23 Tom Williams (Scarlets)
Llandovery
15 Jac Davies (Scarlets), 14 Corey Baldwin, 13 Adam Warren, 12 Rhodri Jones, 11 Aaron Warren, 10 Ioan Hughes, 9 Lee Rees (c), 1 Jamie Hughes, 2 Harry Thomas (Scarlets), 3 Gabe Hawley (Scarlets), 4 Will Evans (Scarlets), 5 Joe Powell, 6 Dan Gemine (Scarlets), 7 Stuart Worrall, 8 Osian Davies
Replacements: 16 Cameron Lewis, 17 Josh Morse (Scarlets), 18 Berian Watkins, 19 Harry Holden, 20 Evan Sheldon, 21 Griff Evans, 22 Jack Maynard, 23 George Macdonald
