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Quins  41    Neath  14

Torrential rain in the hours prior to the game would have caused a cancellation at most grounds, but such is the improved drainage at the Park, the conditions underfoot were amazing, and the handling by both sides was quite brilliant. Minutes before the kick off the rain stopped and gave both sets of supporters hope of an open game, which turned out to be the case.

From the first set piece, the Quins eight signalled their intentions and pushed the Neath pack back a full ten meters and gained a 4th minute penalty. Up stepped Aled Thomas and took his points tally for the Quins past the 600 mark. A Neath passing bout took play into the Quins 22 but as always their tackling was first class and the danger was averted. Neither side wanted to keep the ball tight and as attacks were stopped, counter attacks developed to the delight of both sets of supporters.

The Quins scrums and line outs were soon on top, keeping most of the early play in the Neath half, giving scrum half Gareth Rees ample opportunity to shine and after 16 minutes he was able to snipe over for the opening try for Aled Thomas to convert. A series of Quins power drives and good tactical kicking kept the Neath side deep in their own half and after 24 minutes, Aled Thomas slotted over his second penalty.

From the possession the Quins were winning, they were always dangerous and when Aled Thomas joined the line, he made a fine break taking play up to the visitors line. From the resulting set piece, a powerful drive gave Gareth Rees the chance to pick up and weave his way over for his second try. Aled Thomas took the Quins total up to 20 with the kick.

More of the same gave Neath very little chance to create any thing and the sides changed ends with the Quins promising to run riot. An early second period Quins attack saw the Neath defence fail to gather and play was driven into the Vicarge corner, and when two scrums went the Quins way, their power play gave the referee no alternative other than to award a penalty try and seven points.

The Neath side found it difficult to cope with the Quins power drives and when play was taken up to the Neath line the Quins power play was rewarded with their second penalty try and with it the match bonus point.

From a Neath break down, inside the Quins half, several players handled with neat interpassing the ball ended up in Gareth Rees hands and he was able to make 30 meters to go over under the post for his hattrick. Aled Thomas added the conversion.

To Neaths credit they did not collapse and after a series of dangerous passing moves, Garin Lloyd was able race over in the corner. Ed Howley added the points from the touch line. The Neath support were able to encourage their favourites to new heights and Mike Evans was able to cross for their second try which Ed Howley converted. With all their substitutes on, the game ended with a victory for the Quins which moves them up to 4th spot in the Premiership.

Such is the form of the team at the moment several players were quite outstanding and it would be difficult to pick the Man of the Match.

Next Friday night the team travel to St Helens to take on Swansea – Kick Off 7:15pm

If you are missing rugby on Saturday afternoon why not join us in the Club for Wales v Australia – Kick Off 5:20pm – Happy Hour prices and Snacks available

Quins  35     R G C  22

Fielding the same starting line up as last week, the Quins put in their best performance  to date, to out gun and out play their North Walian visitors.

The Park was at its immaculate best and the playing conditions were ideal for both sides expansive approach. The Quins pack were quick to settle and never took a backward step all afternoon and took the line honours by winning their own throw and seriously disrupting the gogs advantage. Both sets of backs had early touches and pace was going to be the order of the day, testing either sides defence. What has been a feature of the Quins play this season is their ferocious tackling, and ability to counter attack from the results of this. Elis Lloyd was in his element and an early turnover won a penalty for Aled Thomas to register the first score with a 30 meter penalty.

The Gogs were always dangerous when in possession and from a break in their own half, a chip ahead resulted in a very lucky bounce being gathered by former Quins star, Dion Jones to race over under the posts. Billy McBride converted. From the restart the well-placed kick enabled to the Quins back row to win possession and their powerful surge took them into the Vicarage corner for Dale Ford to touch down for an unconverted try and regain the lead.

A 25 minute penalty gave Billy McBride the chance to win back the lead. Again the restart saw the Quins gather and charge up to the visitors line, only to be thwarted by a resolute defence and the danger passed.

The Quins power play took them up to the visitors line, and from the resulting set piece, all expected a scrum drive but Liam Davies fooled the Gogs cover, and spread the ball to his right for his backs to move quick ball out to Dale Ford who darted over in the corner for a well taken try. Aled Thomas converted from the touch line changing the lead for the fifth time, giving the half time advantage to the Quins.

The interval talk had its desired effect as the Quins went on the offensive, and from a Gog line out throw in, Torin Myhill was quick to pounce on their mistake and burst into the 22 to give Shaun Jones a well timed pass and his power and pace took him the 22 meters to go over for a cracking try. Aled Thomas increased the Quins lead with his third kick.

More Quins dominance kept play in the Visitors half and the Gogs found it difficult to handle. Aled Thomas put over his forth successful kick. With the forth bonus point try in sight the Quins stepped up their pressure and with injury time approaching a 50 meter touch finder saw a line out 5 meters out. The Quins line again made it difficult for the visitors to control and a Quins drive gave Hadyn Pugh the chance to crash over for a true captains score. Alad Thomas was on target with his 5th success.

An unfortunate injury halted play for several minutes and saw Dion Jones being stretchered off. The Quins had taken their foot off the gas and this let the visitors in for Jordon Scott and Cam Davies to score what can only be described as consolation tries, and after 30 minutes of extra time the whistle ended the match.

This well deserved five points made up for the disappointment of the Aberavon result and keeps the Quins in the top half of the Premier Division.

It would have been difficult to pick a Man of the Match as this was truly a team effort as the whole squad played a part in this victory, and they look forward to next weeks encounter with Bridgend at the Park with a 1.30 p.m. Kick off.

Following our early kick off the next generation of Carmarthen Quins Youth take the field in their Cup match against Llanelli Wanderers Youth Kick Off 4.30pm

Having left Carmarthen in turmoil weather wise, the Talbot Ground was comparatively calm by comparison.

The Quins faced a wizard side who had recently beaten Merthyr ,Pontypridd and Llandovery  in winning five out of their opening six matches, presenting a daunting task for the Quins. Seven changes from the Llanelli defeat, might indicate to some, that there was some indifference.

Nothing was further from the truth as this Quins side were unlucky not to come away with the spoils, as they matched the home sides set piece, and their line out trio was never mastered,  The match Programme tried to deny the referee and one linesman had any connection with Aberavon, but in a match where the Quins , except for the first half try conversion, did not have ONE kickable penalty award.

Many Quins supporters cannot remember this ever happening. Their set piece settled quickly and their line was soon on top, so the Quins play was confident and their handling safe, but it was both defenses that were in command for most of the half, giving neither sides supporters much to enthuse over.

Near the interval, a Quins period of pressure, took play into into Wizards 22, and slick passing by all the Quins backs gave Dylan Morgans the chanced he rarely misses  to crash over for the opening score. The conversion sailed narrowly wide.

With this lead and the elements in the second period, a shock was on the cards. Alas the whistle ruined  this. On the hour mark, the Quins had a player yellow carded.  A home penalty advantage continued until it was halted near the left touch line, and the referee took play back to a position 25 yards further up field than the original offence.The home side went for touch near the Quins line and from the ensuing line out, yet another  penalty to the home side, saw  a quick tap and Steff Andrews was able to scramble over for James Garland to convert and give the Wizards the lead.

The Quins response was immediate and but for a fumbled pass a score was missed. More suspect decisions kept play in the middle of the pitch and gave the Quins enthusiasm little chance of cashing in on their endeavors. Another home penalty was converted by Garland but the 5 point difference was never going to be enough to sit back on and the Quins kept plugging away up to whistle to gain a losing bonus point.

Using all their subs, it was accredit to these players that they were able to subdue any attacks the home side could muster and they could easily have snatched it at the end.

Next week RGC from North Wales are our quests at the Park with a 2.30 p.m Kick Off. so come along and support your Players

It was a bright sunny afternoon with a blustery wind coming in from the town end but the first derby of the afternoon was set, kicking off early due to the second derby at Parc y Scarlets between Scarlets and Ospreys at 3pm

With 6 changes to the starting line up after the victory against Bedwas last week, the squad looked set for an afternoon of running rugby.

Llanelli got the game underway, with the strong breeze at their backs. From the off the Quins looked to continue where they had finished last week, moving the ball across the backline with swift hands between centres Josh Batcup and Nick Reynolds setting Dylan Morgans up the touchline only for Llanelli to be penalised at the breakdown in the first 5 minutes. Jac Wilson’s first penalty opportunity was a successful one to get the Quins on the scoreboard.

The scoreboard remained unchanged in the first 20 minutes as both teams fought hard in both attack and defence. The Quins pack were dominant in the scrum and led to Scrum Half Gareth Rees looking sharp in attack from a quick tap penalty only to be turned over. The Quins lineout was not at its best and an overthrow set Llanelli on the attack in the 22^ndminute. Keeping the ball and pressurising the Quins try line Llanelli blindside Flanker Joel James picked up from the base of a ruck to be driven over from close range to get the opening try of the match. The try was converted by Outside Half Jonny Lewis.

Quins were made to make an early substitution with Scrum Half Gareth Rees taking a knock to the head and was replaced by Liam Davies on 30 minutes. Quins kept working hard into the wind towards the end of the first half and were rewarded with their first try on 37 minutes when substitute Liam Davies spotted a gap on the blindside and went over in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful from the touchline. Llanelli’s indiscipline at the breakdown eventually cost them with Joel James receiving a yellow card on the stroke of half time. Quins went in at half time with a 1 point lead 8-7.

With Llanelli down to 14 men the Quins came out to start the second half with the wind behind them and looked to start where they had finished the first half. With only 3 minutes of the second half gone Quins secured their second try through great hands and finished off under the posts by Shaun Jones, Jac Wilson converting. Quins were now leading 15-7 and had the wind at their backs but basic handling errors and turnovers were stopping the Quins momentum. The lineout continued to malfunction in key areas and this was now a concern as the second half progressed.

Jac Wilson converted another penalty on 52 minutes to take Quins two scores ahead. With the continued handling errors and turnovers in the second half Llanelli kept the pressure on. Llanelli were back down to 14 men in the 58^th minute as Centre Oliver Reyland was yellow carded for an offside offense. The arm wrestle was continuing and 8 minutes later, teams were even as Quins substitute Gethin Robinson received a yellow card.

With just over 10 minutes to go Llanelli kept the pressure on and from another misguided lineout Llanelli took advantage with Number 8 Nathan breaking through to go over in the corner. The conversion went astray and now Llanelli were back within one score.

Llanelli kept hold of the ball playing into the wind and kept the pressure on in both attack and defence. It was in the 75^th minute they were able to find a gap in the Quins defence for young outside centre Joe Roberts to go over bringing the score to 18-17 to Quins. It was a pressure conversion for substitute Ashley Sutton which he converted to take Llanelli ahead again 19-18.

The Quins came back at Llanelli in the closing stages but again the handling errors and turnovers cost us the game.

Final Score Carmarthen Quins RFC 18-19 Llanelli RFC

So it is back to the training ground to rectify the wrongs in readiness for our next fixture away to Aberavon RFC on Saturday 13^th October – Kick Off  2:30pm

Quins  19  Cardiff 13

The City Slickers hit the Town after a good victory over Newport last Saturday, expecting to continue their run. The Quins had other ideas. In wet and windy conditions, the Park was once again in immaculate playing condition.

The Quins made six changes from the Bargoed match and introduced two of their Junior Internationals in Osian Knott and Jac Price to the Premiership. The playing conditions did little to prevent both sides from moving the ball. Despite giving away height and weight, the Quins pack were able to match and better the Cardiff eight throughout the game.

The visitors took a tenth minute lead with a Steff Jones penalty, only to see the hosts level matters minutes later with an Aled Thomas penalty. A  few minutes later a Cardiff attack took play up to the Quins line. An obvious Cardiff knock on was missed and a neat chip over the home defence gave Will Rees-Hole to catch and touch down. Steff Jones took the visitors into double figures with the conversion. The Quins line out was in commanding form, winning their own throw in and often disrupting the Cardiff throw in. Despite being on the wrong end of the whistle, the Quins won a penalty for Aled Thomas to convert and minutes later he slotted over his third to take his side to within a point at the turn around.

The half time talk certainly had its desired effect and the Quins upped the ante. Cardiff tried to use the wind advantage, only to be met with the safe Aled Thomas and Jac Wilson, who used their backs to counter attack with relish, causing the visitors defence all sorts of problems. More strange decisions from the officials added on the frustration of the Quins players, but their patience held and prevented any dangers.

After gaining the upper hand Aled Thomas put over his forth penalty from 40 meters to give the Quins a deserved lead. The Quins tackling was of the highest standard and they drove the Capitals side back time after time. A communication hic- up  led to a brief delay but this did not deter the Quins concentration and after winning a line out 20 meters out, their control and power drove play up to and over the Visitors line for Nick Reynolds to be credited with the score, Aled Thomas converted from the touch line, giving the Quins a two score lead.

The visitors found themselves in a catch-up situation and were met with crunching tackles, and swift counter attacks by the Quins.  They elected to take a pot at Goal in added time in an attempt to get a losing bonus point.

The game was allowed to continue for fully 15 minutes of added time, before the Referee called a halt to signal a well-deserved Quins victory which moves them up into 6th place. All the replacements were used, giving game time to the squad and that vital experience need to improve.

This was a performance that truly shows a fifteen man approach and team spirit that will win them many more matches.

Next week they travel to Bedwas for what promises to be an exciting encounter.

Quins  41    Cross Keys  26

Making two changes from last weeks debacle, the Quins well and truly buried that performance with a 6 try feast. From the kick off into a strong wind, Elis Lloyd was able to gather and take play up to the Keys line. His pack were soon behind him and Ed Siggery was able to power over for an opening minute try, Aled Thomas converted.

From the restart the Quins were able to control their possession and again take play deep in the visitors  22 for Elis Lloyd to crash over, Aled Thomas was on hand with the conversion. The Keys were able to use the strong wind to get out of trouble, but this played into the Quins game plan and from a brilliant counter attack, a move that took them the length  of the field, Dale Ford went over in the Vicarage corner. Aled Thomas put the kick over from the touch line  to complete 3 tries in 13 minutes.

The visitors had no answer to this Quins approach, and their line out dominance and solid scrummaging, gave the Keys very little opportunity to mount any threat. From this they were able counter attack and keep play in the visitors  half despite the strong wind. On the half hour, Keys managed to take play into the Quins half and a clever kick ahead gave G. Ellis the chance to touch down under the posts. Jason Tovey converted.

The Quins were able to use the control they were winning and from yet another counter attack, Liam Davies was on the end of a six  man handling move to go over for the bonus point score and Aled Thomas again did the honours with the conversion, all before the interval. With the elements at their back, a cricket score was envisaged, and as early as the second minute, Aled Thomas slotted over a 35 meter penalty, to restore a four score lead.

A powerful surge upfield led to a scrum under the posts. From this possession the Keys defence  were mesmerised and slick passing to the left gave wing Dylan Morgans plenty of space to cross wide out, for an unconverted try. The Quins were left a little disrupted due substitutions and this gave the Keys pack the chance to use their renewed scrummaging advantage to gain a penalty try. This seemed to give new life to the visitors and the Quins took their foot of the gas, and this enabled Leon Andrews   to steal over for his sides third try.

With the chance of a bonus point try on offer, and playing catch up rugby, the Quins lost concentration to let sub Taylor Hansen through for this added bonus to flatter the Keys score. Tovey took their score to 26 which seemed unlikely for most of the match.

This opening League victory restores the confidence to the squad and they look forward to next weeks match at Bargoed. This performance was down mainly to a team effort and it is hoped they will improve even more in the weeks ahead.