In a dramatic end to proceedings at Carmarthen Park, on Saturday 18th October, replacements outside half Elis Price stepped up to kick a conversion in the final minute of play to secure victory for Quins.
Having led Newport 21-7, Quins allowed the visitors back in to score three tries to take the lead 21-26 with just minutes left on the clock.
Quins’ winger Thomas Williams receives the ball out wide after an attacking phase of play, crossing for Quins’ fourth try and brings the score to 26-all. It’s converted by Price and it’s victory for Quins.
Quins win a penalty just inside Newport’s half in the opening minutes. Carwyn Leggatt Jones with a kick to the corner. Lewis Morgan throws in to the line, driving maul looks strong, the ball is safely out but it’s lost across the touchline on the opposite side.
Confident and positive start for the home side.
A second corner kick gives Quins a second bite at the cherry. This time the maul is halted, and the ball is lost forward. Advantage Newport.
Newport put pressure back on themselves. Quins kick to the corner for a third time. It’s a clean line out and driving maul, Newport are penalised for pulling down the maul.
This time it’s a pop pass to the front of the line, Newport’s defence holds strong, but Quins’ persistence pays off. Rhys Fawcett bowls over for the opening try of the afternoon. Carwyn Leggatt Jones add the conversion.
7-0
Newport gets a foot in the game, moving the ball deep into Quins territory as they look to distribute the ball at pace. Quins regain possession and clear the ball to touch, just shy of the halfway line.
Quins get their second try on the board after a rather lacklustre quarter of an hour of play where the ball changed hands on numerous occasions.
A loose ball at the back of a Quins line-out and it looked like another opportunity squandered, however Quins are handed a scrum penalty from a Newport high tackle. The home side put the pressure on, get the ball shifted wide before finding Gabe McDonald who crosses in the far corner. Converted by Leggatt Jones.
14-0
Just minutes later Newport hit back with an attacking run into Quins territory. They shift the ball seamlessly through the hands, make territory at pace, and find Wales and GB 7s winger Morgan Williams out wide who crosses the whitewash. Try is converted by Jac Lloyd.
14-7
Play is stopped after hooker Lewis Morgan hit the ground hard after a crunching tackle on a Newport player. He’s tended to by the medics and is up on his feet.
Half time: Quins 14 Newport 7
Issac Young is on for Lews Morgan as the second half gets underway here at Carmarthen Park.
Newport get the first half underway with the spoils of possession and territory but it’s not long before Quins take advantage of an opportune loose ball. A sloppy few minutes sees the ball lost forward by both sides and while Newport tries to clear the ball from their line Quins regather possession, show some daring handling skills and get the ball out wide to Isaac Young. Converted by Leggatt Jones.
21-7
Moments later, Newport has a march on Quins territory. Their quick passing and attacking run sees replacement Hunter Ward cross for their second try. Converted by Jac Lloyd.
A superb 50-22 by Newport gets them back in the thick of it with a 5m line out and they waste no time in claiming their third try. A well-managed driving maul and it’s hooker Wade Langley who claims the five-pointer. Converted by Jac Lloyd.
21-14
Ifan James replaces Connor Allen, whilst there’s a break in play for three Newport injuries.
Quins are attacking in Newport’s 22. Ifan Davies makes a dart down the wing, puts in a cheeky grubber kick but Newport gather and go. They counterattack with a kick downfield, forcing Leggatt Jones to turn and chase the bouncing ball. Despite pressure from Newport the ball is cleared to the sideline.
A period of Newport pressure and the referee awards two advantages to the visitors. They opt to kick to the corner looking for their fourth try and opportunity to go ahead for the first time in the game.
Shaun Evans and lee Taylor are replaced by Iestyn Wood and Ryan Bean respectively.
Newport loses the ball forward in their driving line-out, handing Quins a scrum penalty in the shadows of their own line.
Elis Price is on for Carwyn Leggatt Jones.
Newport is on the attack once again. A ball is chipped through into the 22, Steff Evans is on the chase and touches down under the post to halt a Newport try.
Rhodri Davies is yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on giving Newport a kick at goal. The ball whistles past the post, and with it the visitors squander the opportunity to take the lead.
A corner kick by Newport hands them another opportunity to pressure the home side. This time it’s a try. Lock Josh Skinner crosses the whitewash and Jac Lloyd converts to bring the score to 21 apiece.
The visitors have the wind in their sails and continue to build pressure on the Quins in their half. Winger Iestyn Galton crosses for their fourth try to take the visitors ahead for the first time all afternoon. Outside half Lloyd pulls his conversion attempt.
21-26
There’s a lengthy break in play as prop James Newnian received medical treatment before being stretchered off the field with a leg injury. Rhys Fawcett returns to the playing field.
With just minutes remaining on the clock Quins have a penalty in Newport’s territory. They opt for a corner kick. It’s a strong driving maul to the line; the Quins are pushed back off the try line. They maintain possession and continue to push Newport’s defence.
With seemingly no way through the defencing line, the ball is shipped to the right through the hands reaching Thomas Williams on the wing who races across the try line. It’s 26 all!
It’s all down to replacement outside half Elis Price to secure the victory for the Quins. He steps up for the conversion just feet from the right touchline. He nails the kick and it slices through the uprights.
Final score: Quins 28 Newport 26
Scorers
5-0 Try Rhys Fawcett
7-0 Conversion Carwyn Leggatt Jones
12-0 Try Gabe McDonald
14-0 Conversion Carwyn Leggatt Jones
14-5 Try Morgan Williams
14-7 Conversion Jac Lloyd
Half time
19-7 Try Isaac young
21-7 Conversion Carwyn Leggatt Jones
21-12 Try Hunter Ward
21-14 Conversion Jac Lloyd
21-19 Try Josh Skinner
21-21 Conversion Jac Lloyd
21-26 Try Iestyn Galton
26-26 Try Thomas Williams
28-26 Conversion Elis Price
Quins team
15 Steff Evans, 14 Ifan Davies, 13 Jac Howells, 12 Gabe McDonald (Scarlets), 11 Thomas Williams (Scarlets), 10 Carwyn Leggatt Jones (Scarlets), 9 Rhodri Davies, 1 Rhys Fawcett, 2 Lewis Morgan, 3 Connor Allen, 4 Tom Phillips, 5 Lee Taylor, 6 Iestyn Richards, 7 Shaun Evans (C), 8 Lewys Millin
Replacements: 16 James Newnian, 17 Isaac Young (Scarlets), 18 Ifan James, 19 Ryan Bean, 20 Iestyn Wood, 21 Elis Price (Scarlets), 22 Eilir George, 23 Ilan Phillips
Newport team
Tom Devine, Wade Langley, Garin Harris, Josh Skinner, Barny Langton-Cryer, Ioan Rhys Davies, Kobi Rees, Ben Roach Captain, Lucus Welch, Jac Lloyd, Morgan Williams, Chay Foster-Smith, Jon Morris, Iestyn Galton, Carwyn Penny.
Replacements: Henry Palmer, Harry Fry, Ollie Drake, Joe Peard, Josh Reid, Hunter Ward, Daf Buckland, Noah Morgan.
