FINAL SCORE CARMARTHEN QUINS 18 LLANELLI 19
Carmarthen Quins Tries: Liam Davies (37), Shaun Jones (43) Conversions: Jac Wilson (43) Penalties: Jac Wilson (4), (55) Llanelli Tries: Joel James (25); Nathan Hart (70), Joe Roberts (77) Conversions: Jonny Lewis (25); Ashley Sutton (77) Penalties:
Man of the Match: Ellis Thomas (Llanelli) Llanelli upset the form book in the West Wales derby at Carmarthen Quins running in three tries after trailing 3-0 to an early Jac Wilson penalty, unruffled replacement kicker Ashley Sutton converting a late Joe Roberts try for a 19-18 victory. Flanker James scored their opening try which Jonny Lewis converted, reward for some surging forward play around the fringes of the breakdown. Replacement scrum half Liam Davies touched down for a 8-7 Quins lead, James sin binned on half time for Llanelli, his side penalised ten times in the first period by referee Gareth John. The Quins took advantage of their extra man in the swirling wind to control possession and territory, second row Shaun John breaking tackles on a marauding 40 metre charge, Wilson converting, adding a penalty for 18-7 on 55 minutes. An irrational Llanelli side couldn’t keep the ball to regain parity or their discipline, Oliver Reynold yellow carded at the start of the last quarter before man of the match, Number 8 Nathan Hart set up the finale with a break out from the tail of a Quins line out for an unconverted try, replacement prop Gethin Robinson yellow carded within minutes of appearing for the home side as the rejuvenated visitors sealed success in an enthralling derby encounter through Suttons composure.
Paul Fisher Llanelli head of rugby
It’s been a tough start to the season as we are a relatively new young team coming together. We went well last week against Newport and were out of the game today just after half time, with the number of penalties we conceded and unforced errors, but credit to the boys effort and commitment as we stuck to what we spoke about this week and kept playing right to the end.
Open side flanker Ellis Thomas was outstanding today as he has been in all other games this season, with the try from Nathan Hart the key moment in the game from which we grew in our belief to keep the ball and holding our shape, our aim now is to continue improving as a team, remembering you only get out what you put in
Courtesy of Jon Twigg (press reporter)