Bridgend Ravens 19, Carmarthen Quins 32
The Quins continue their scintillating form with a 5 try to 1 victory at the Brewery Field (writes Alan Bowen). This was their fourth consecutive win at Bridgend taking the Quins record against Bridgend to 10 wins after 13 Premier meetings.
This, added to the Semi Final Swalec Cup victory over Pontypridd by 41-12, makes the Brewery Field a lucky place for the Quins. Once again the playing conditions were near perfect, giving the sides the chance to play the open game that both Clubs are noted for.
Making four changes from their last encounter made little difference, as the whole squad are suited to playing the fast stylish and entertaining game that appeals to their supporters.
After early pressure by the Quins Haydn Pugh once again displayed his all round ability when he picked up and made ground to hand on to Dylan Morgan for him to put Dan Jones over for the opening try. He added the points himself.
Two penalties from Ross Jones pulled his side back to 7-6 after 10 minutes. A fine kick to touch from a penalty took the Quins up to the home 5 metre line. Winning the line out, the Home side were fooled into thinking the ball was going to be moved to the open, only to see a clever change and two passes ending with Dylan Morgan crossing unopposed in the corner.
It was strange to note that the Ravens only came into the Quins half four times in the opening half and were awarded four penalties for Ross Jones to be on target. The Quins, however, were not to be outdone and a fine break by Ellis Lloyd made a full 60 meters taking play up to the home line.
Desperate defence kept the Quins out but by doing so Bridgend conceded a penalty and Dan Jones gave the Quins an interval lead of 15-12.
Early in the second half the Ravens scrum half was sin binned and the Quins took full advantage of this when both forwards and backs produced some quality handling for Haydn Pugh to cross wide out. More of the same resulted in Dion Jones crossing in the other corner, to give the Quins a three score lead and a deserved bonus point for the second week running.
The home side were urged on by their support and Ashley James was able to crash over for Ross Jones to convert. With eight points separating the sides this is when the Quins resolve took over and more good handling ended with ball in Dylan Morgans hands and his skill and pace did the rest for him to cross for his second try.
Next Saturday the visitors to the Park are Llanelli when another fine contest is expected. The Quins are developing their Young squad into playing entertaining rugby and are a credit to the Region and the Premier Division.
Here is the Bridgend Ravens view of events . . .
Bridgend Ravens fell to a second straight league defeat despite a much improved effort from the home side, as Quins secured their fifth straight win at the Bridgend Ford Brewery Field.
Carmarthen raced out of the blocks, scoring their first try of the game after 3 minutes. It was well converted from the corner by Dan Jones. Bridgend quickly fought back. Tom Habberfield, returning to Ravens colours, made an excellent break.
Some strong phases from the Ravens saw Ryan Evans go close to touching down in the corner but Bridgend had to settle for three points. Ross Jones kicked the penalty with 7 minutes on the clock. Bridgend, playing the better rugby, were halted by Carmarthen indiscipline. Ross Jones got a second penalty for the hosts to reduce the deficit to just one point.
A dubious penalty decision after 16 minutes gave Quins some great field position following a kick to the corner. A good maul from the visitors was kept out by the Ravens but Carmarthen went wide and some fast hands put Dylan Morgans over for their second of the game. The conversion was missed from the touchline.
The Ravens didn’t let their heads go down and were soon on the attack again. Some strong running from Olly Cracknell resulted in another Bridgend penalty. Jones slotted his third shot at goal after 21 minutes.
A brilliant counter attack, from a loose Quins kick, by Mike Powell saw the winger make 50+ metres. Carmarthen were forced to concede another penalty and Jones’ effort was successful to level the scores with 25 minutes gone. Carmarthen kicked their first penalty of the match five minutes before the break to give the visitors the lead back as half-time approached.
HT Bridgend 12-15 Carmarthen (0-2T)
Tom Habberfield was yellow carded 2 minutes into the second half as Carmarthen threatened the hosts line.
Bridgend did well to initially hold the visitors out with a powerful counter maul but Carmarthen went over for their third try of the match after 48 minutes. A quick lineout caught the Bridgend defence off guard and some good work from the Quins saw Haydn Pugh go over. The conversion was successful.
Carmarthen turned the screw with the man advantage and scored a second try in quick succession, their fourth of the afternoon, to seal a try bonus point. Fullback Dion Jones went over in the corner. The conversion was missed by Dan Jones.
Back to a full compliment, the Ravens were able to work themselves back into the game. A collapsed maul deep in the Quins 22 saw a yellow card for visitors second row Pugh. Bridgend kicked to the corner again and club captain Ashleigh James was able to go over for his third league try in two games. Ross Jones converted to give the Ravens faithful some hope with 18 minutes left to play.
Carmarthen looked to have sealed the victory with their fifth try of the game. Dylan Morgans went over in the corner following an excellent wide move. Jones missed the conversion for the visitors, but with less than ten minutes to play, a win seemed out of reach for the Ravens.
Bridgend continued to search for the try that, if converted, would get them within the seven point range to take a bonus point from the game. The Ravens came close, knocking on near to the line. Further Quins indiscipline led to a second yellow of the match for the visitors. Replacement Rhodri Wells left the match with two minutes left to play.
Bridgend tapped and tried to get that crucial try but Morgan was tackled into touch with seconds to play. Quins won the lineout and cleared their lines to bring the match to an end.
Cardiff 27, Llanelli 15
Llanelli travelled to Cardiff in the second round of Principality Premiership matches and were led by Adam Powell who was making his 250th game for the club.
Throughout the match both sides were guilty of many unforced errors and along with conceding numerous penalties it was not going to be a classic. However, as usual there was always going to be tries scored between both teams who like to play open rugby.
George Watkins opened the scoring on 25 minutes for the home team with a 50-metre sprint to the try line. Three minutes later a beautiful Steffan Hughes pass put full back Steffan Evans in space near halfway and he sidestepped the full back for a great try under the posts. Frazier Climo converted and then exchanged a penalty with Dean Gunter to give Llanelli a slender two-point half time lead.
With a player in the bin Cardiff kicked off the second period and yet another unforced error gifted scrum half Tom Slater the ball and he ran in from 40 metres with Gunter adding the extras. In the 49th minute a debatable penalty try was awarded to Cardiff, which Gunter converted and with six minutes remaining Watkins scored his second try to seal the bonus point victory.
Llanelli finished the game with a top try from Frazier Climo to bring the score to 27-15 but knowing they needed to put a lot more hard graft into training this week before they visit Carmarthen next Saturday.
Cross Keys 24, Bedwas 29
If ever there was a game of two halves this was it. Bedwas appeared to be on the ropes at half time but a superb effort by the entire squad turned things around and earned a hard fought victory (writes Ian Lovell).
A Richard Powell penalty after three minutes put Bedwas ahead before both sides battled to find a way through. Indiscipline looked as though it would cost both sides with the home side receiving the first team warning but
Bedwas had the first sin binning as Dan Preece was given an enforced ten minute break for hands in the ruck. Keys took full advantage and winger Saipolu Tapaatoutai Uhi crossed for a try, converted by Geraint Jones.
Minutes later Arron Pinches joined him on the side lines for not rolling away in a tackle and Bedwas looked to have a mountain to climb. Preece returned to the fray and Keys were then shorn of a man with back rower Reuben Tucker sin binned for a ruck offence, but Powell’s penalty shot went wide.
Just before the break Keys crossed through a second try by full back James Cordy-Redden, after a Bedwas error in midfield. Jones again converting.
The second half did not start well for Bedwas as a great break by Key’s skipper Leon Andrews put left wing Nathan Trowbridge in for a try, Jones this time missing his conversion attempt. Richard Powell and Jones each slotted a penalty before two converted tries in three minutes gave Bedwas hope.
Tom Rowlands (who had been on the pitch for four minutes) scored the first with a sniping run off the back of a scrum, before Richard Powell kicked and chased his own clever kick past a static home defence for the second try. Powell converted both to reduce the deficit to only two points.
A third Powell penalty after 65 minutes put Bedwas ahead for the first time but Keys didn’t throw in the towel and replied with a Jones penalty after 70 minutes to restore his side’s one point advantage. Bedwas dug deep and two Richard Powell penalties after 76 and 79 minutes clinched the spoils which looked unlikely at half time.
Bedwas have seven days to recover before welcoming Aberavon to the Bridge Field on Saturday 27 September, kick off 2-30pm.
