Carmarthen Quins’ Super Rygbi Cymru Cup campaign got back underway at Carmarthen Park after the second-round clash fell foul to the weather.
The round 2 clash, against Pontypool, was postponed last weekend due to inclement weather and standing water at Pontypool Park.
The WRU confirmed earlier this week that postponed fixtures will not be replayed and will be recorded as 0-0 draws. Both Quins and Pontypool were therefore awarded 2 points in the round robin phase of the tournament.
Carmarthen Quins got the third round Super Rygbi Cymru Cup clash against Cardiff underway with a penalty immediately from the kick-off. Number 8 Lewys Millin putting pressure on the opposition and forcing them into a penalty for holding on to the ball.
Quins get an attacking line out in the opening minutes and despite pressure on the opposition’s defensive line, Cardiff turnover the ball, clear and relieve the pressure momentarily.
A strong opening ten minutes by Quins, playing in Cardiff’s half with continued pressure on the visitors, resulted in an opening try with winger Thomas Williams capitalising on scrum half Rhodri Lewis’ chip through. Conversion added by Ifan Davies.
7-0
Cardiff made territorial gains into Quins’ half, but the home scrum kept pressure on the visitors and secured a platform to get play back into Cardiff’s territory.
On the twenty-minute mark flanker Iestyn Wood crosses the whitewash after another period of Quins pressure however the ball was held up. Quins reset and attack once again, but Cardiff’s defence holds strong, and the ball is lost forward in collision.
Quins find themselves with ball in hand in their own half and Cardiff number 8 Evan Rees charges down Lewis’ clearing kick, gathers the ball and scores in the corner. Harri Wilde adds the conversion.
7-7
Half time: Quins 7 Cardiff 7
Cardiff comes out of the blocks at pace in the second half, pushing early into Quins territory, winning a penalty that allows them to build an attacking phase from a corner line out.
Carmarthen’s second and final try of the afternoon came at the 50-minute mark. Quins stole the ball at the back of Cardiff’s line out on the home 10m line. A composed phase of play saw Quins build and move into Cardiff’s half before centre Gabe McDonald make a break through the opposition defence on their 10m line. He finds Rhodri Lewis in support, passing to him on the 22 and he goes on to score.
The home side have territorial advantage in the closing ten minutes of the game with centre Gabe McDonald adding an important penalty kick to move the points difference beyond the seven.
Final score: Carmarthen Quins 15 Cardiff 7
Scorers:
5-0 Try Thomas Williams
7-0 Conversion Ifan Davies
7-5 Try Evan Rees
7-7 Conversion Harri Wilde
12-7 Try Rhodri Lewis
15-7 Penalty Gabe McDonald
