“A STEP BACK IN TIME”
(By Percy Jones)
1968-69 SEASON
9th NOVEMBER 1968
“MORRISTON SHATTERED BY SLICK QUINS”
(By kind permission of the Carmarthen Journal)
SEVEN’S STYLE HANDLINGWAS MATCH FEATURE
CARMARTHEN 30 pts., MORRISTON 5.
(By Roger Phillips)
Fast, running rugby by the Quins’ backs was the feature of this crushing victory at Carmarthen on Saturday.
Morriston suffered a blow early in the game when flanker Bob Harwood was led from the field with a thigh injury, but even so, they were first to score when centre Mike Price touched down wide out after a brilliant 50 – yard run. Full back John Hughes converted. This was the visitor’s only moment of glory and subsequently the Carmarthen pack took command. After pushing play up the field and forcing a scrum on the Morriston line, a quick strike by hooker Bowen and a greased lightening service by inside-half Peter Evans, put winger David Dyer over in the corner. Full-back Gwyndaf Jones levelled the scores withy a superb conversion. Carmarthen put the pressure on after this and went ahead with a well taken drop goal from 30 yards by fly-half Aubrey Davies.
PENALTY
They went further ahead when Gwyndaf Jones landed a penalty from 25 yards after a srummaging infringement. Carmarthen opened the play up from all set pieces and were unlucky not to be leading by a bigger margin at half-time. The second-half still saw the visitor’s with 14 men and Carmarthen still in running mood. A feature of this second-half was the display of handling by the Quins’ forwards who ran and inter-passed like a set of backs. It was from one of these passing movements that the forwards forced a scrum five yards from the visitor’s line which resulted in a try.
Moriston put the ball in and Alan Bowen, having a field day with his hooking, pulled one back against the head. Inside half Peter Evans nipped down the narrow side and flicked a pass to centre Phillip Hodgson, who crashed over the line. Jones failed with the kick.
GOOD PAIR
Minutes later, centre Brian Furlong added to the score with a drop goal from 35 yards. Carmarthen switched to a seven-a-side style of play with the ball being constantly moved from one side of the field to the other, opening up enormous gaps in the Morriston defence. It was from these tactics that Carmarthen added to their total with tries by Peter Evans, Phillip Hodgson and two conversions by Gwyndaf Jones.
Carmarthen were well served in the pack by Howard Isles, Jeff Williams, Clive Rees and Gwilym Beynon. Behind the scrum they have found a good pair in centres Brian Furlong and Phillip Hodgson.
CARMARTHEN QUINS YOUTH 27 pts, PONTYATES YOUTH 3 pts
On the same Saturday, the Quins Youth XV played Pontyates Youth XV at Abergwili. The Quins’ once again proved to be a formidable force with this convincing win. Their pack, well-led by skipper Buchan, dominated for long spells with hooker McDermott having a great game. For Pontyates the outstanding player was full-back Richard Evans, who halted many Quins attacks.
Quins’ tries were scored by Wyn Davies, Ken Watts (2), John Lewis, Malcolm Thomas and Paul Pearce. Centre Colin Davies kicked three conversions and a penalty.
Pontyates came more into the game in the closing stages and were rewarded with a try by Robert Walters.