Newport got the game underway at Carmarthen Park on a dry autumn Friday evening and kept Quins deep in their own half for the opening phases.
It was the visitors who got first points on the board with a try by centre Joe Salter. The move was started after scrum half Dafydd Buckland spotted a gap in Quins’ defensive line. Flanker Josh Skinner was in support and charged ahead. The Black and Ambers kept the pressure on Quins’ line before Salter claimed the five points. Outside half Llew O’Brien added the conversion.
0-7
It wasn’t long before Newport looked keen to go for another try. A long kick downfield however was shepherded safely by fullback Iori Badham with a clearance kick of his own back downfield.
With fifteen minutes on the clock a third Newport attacking wave came at the Quins. Despite a solid surge forward the Quins turned the ball over and managed to avoid the immediate danger.
Play enters the second quarter with a positive attacking run from the Quins. Winger Callum Woolley shows his speed as he makes a break in Newport territory. Quins showed promise of go-forward but Newport’s defensive line halt the attack on their 22 line.
Just as Newport had their sights on a run into Quins territory their kick was charged down in their own 22 by Woolley. Despite the pressure, they cleared to the line handing Quins a line out.
Scrum half Alfie Luger out in a neat grubber kick to Thomas Williams on the wing but he couldn’t quite get a hand to it.
A scrum penalty for the Quins saw Luger take a quick tap to keep the momentum high. Lewis Morgan started the carries by the forwards. Quins were kept away from the try-line but referee Carwyn Siôn was playing advantage. Another quick tap from Quins and number 8 Lewys Millin shows his strength and experience to bulldoze his way over the white-wash. Madoc Evans adds the conversion.
7-7
Newport are back in Quins’ 22 from the restart. Dafydd Buckland kicked across field and Baker was ready and waiting. What looked like a certain second try for Newport was not to be as Baker couldn’t gather the ball.
Back for the advantage and Josh Skinner claimed Newport’s second. O’Brien added the conversion.
7-14
Quins get back into Newport territory but the clock gets the better of them and score remains as the squads head into the changing rooms.
Half time: Quins 7 Newport 14
The second half got underway with a strong Quins attacking phase. Six minutes of pressure on Newport with advantage played, plenty of endeavour, but the visiting defence did a sterling job in keeping the white shirts away from the try-line.
After 18 minutes of dominating possession in the second half Quins finally got their reward. Evans, Millin, Jayden Brown and Thomas Williams combined well to put Baker under pressure after the Quins followed their own long-range kick. Luger darted to the whitewash, he was a metre short, Morgan was in support and got the five points for his team. Evans added the conversion.
14-14
Disappointingly Quins conceded possession from the restart handing Newport a kick to the corner. Another missed opportunity for Baker was quickly followed by a knock-on by Newport’s Hunter Ward.
A scrum for Quins, Millin makes a break from the back before Luger clears to touch.
Newport regained possession and wasted no time on this occasion in scoring their third try. Pressure play saw replacement Gethyn Cannon cross the whitewash. O’Brien added the conversion.
14-21
With the minutes on the clock Quins crossed for their third try of the evening to get back within touching distance of Newport. The Scarlets backline trio of Madoc Evans, Iori Badham and Thomas Williams combined beautifully, showing great ball-handling skills with Williams crossing in the corner. Evans just missed the conversion to bring the scoreline back to a draw.
19-21
It was Newport who finished the game in possession and with territory advantage but failed to add the bonus point try to their tally.
Final score: Quins 19 Newport 21
Carmarthen Quins
15 Iori Badham (Scarlets)
14 Callum Woolley (Scarlets)
13 Jayden Brown (Scarlets)
12 Ashton Owen, sponsored by NGN Distribution
11 Thomas Williams (Scarlets)
10 Madoc Evans (Scarlets)
9 Alfie Luger (Scarlets)
8 Lewys Millin, sponsored by Owen Construction Ltd
7 Joe Denman (Scarlets)
6 Osian Williams (Scarlets)
5 Lee Taylor (c), sponsored by Photography by Paige Taylor
4 Gabe Cahsay (Scarlets)
3 Connor Allen (150 Caps)
2 Lewis Morgan, sponsored by Rob Thomas Landscaping & Fencing
1 Rhys Fawcett, sponsored by Sheriff’s Biltong
Replacements:
16 Keanu Evans (Scarlets)
17 Hudson Nevin (Scarlets)
18 Ifan James, sponsored by RB Build Ltd
19 Ryan Bean, sponsored by Prime Architecture
20 Iestyn Richards, sponsored by Hemmings Groundwork & Plant Hire
21 Luca Giannini, sponsored by KJ Future Electrics
22 Aron Hemmings, sponsored by Hemmings Groundworks & Plant Hire
23 Scott Davies, sponsored by Byron Butchers Ltd
Newport: 1 Tom Devine, 2 Henry Palmer, 3 Ollie Drake, 4 Joe Peard, 5 Callum Bradbury, 6 Josh Skinner, 7 Hunter Ward, 8 Ben Roach Captain, 9 Dafydd Buckland, 10 Llew O’Brien, 11 Noah Morgan, 12 Joe Salter, 13 Chay Foster-Smith, 14 Fin Baker, 15 Sam Morgan
Replacements: Wade Langley, Ed Thompson, Luke Yendle, Gethyn Cannon, Josh Reid, Tiger Chatham, Lucus Welch, Steff Davies
