The west Wales side have been the surprise package so far this season, their latest win a 22-7 defeat of Cardiff at the Arms Park. Tries from Chris Banfield, Rhys Williams and Jason Harries downed the Blue and Blacks on a windswept night in the Welsh capital, securing a seventh consecutive success.
It’s a remarkable run, one made all the more impressive when you realise five of those seven victories have come on the road.
“We’re not getting carried away but we’ve been building and getting better every week,” said Tonkin after Saturday’s win.
“A top three spot is definitely our aim and I don’t think it’s beyond us but at the moment, we’re looking at things block by block.
“We’ve got one more away trip now then three home games in a row. Pontypridd are coming to us after Newport and that’s one we’re really looking forward to.
“It’s important for the club to return to the Park and to have a good run of home fixtures.”
Saturday evening didn’t start too well for the Quins, an accident on the M4 delaying their arrival and causing kick off to be pushed back by half an hour. When the game got going, a penalty from man of the match Craig Evans and Banfield’s score gave Carmarthen an 8-0 interval advantage.
The second half saw the driving rain and wind which dominated the first period subside, and the Quins took full advantage. Centres Williams and Harries showed their power to crash over with Evans converting both tries. Luke Hamilton crossed late on for Cardiff but it was merely a consolation.
“It was a very pleasing result. In the first half we were very, very slow and sluggish but given the circumstances, that was acceptable,” Tonkin added.
“We looked at that as a warm up period really and started the second half with a 0-0 mentality.
“Craig Evans and James Davies were both outstanding. Craig has been great for us all season and was a great signing in the summer and Jason Harries was another. He is just so hard to bring down. We feel like we’ve got 15 carriers at the moment with power all over the field and that’s really important for us in terms of how we want to play the game.”
With Principality Premiership action intermittent over the next few weeks, Carmarthen’s next game is away at Newport on November 23. Defending champions Pontypridd then visit the Park the following Friday.
“Seven from seven is a great start, I don’t think anyone could have predicted that but it’s up to us now to see how far we can go,” said fly half Evans.
“If we keep performing to this level then anything is possible. We’ve got a couple of weeks off now before we go to Rodney Parade which is a bit of a bogey ground for us.
“That will be a tough one and then we face Pontypridd. That Friday night game in Carmarthen will show us where we are.”
Lee Williams, Carmarthen winger and experienced Wales Sevens international, said: “We’ve got a big squad and have been rotating a lot in the first few games which should hold us in good stead.
“We won’t underestimate any of the teams in this league, anybody can beat anybody but if we perform as we did in the second half then we’ll be up towards the top of the table.”
