Having already qualified for the knock-out stages of the Foster’s Challenge Cup by winning Pool A, they reached the quarter-finals of the SSE Swalec Cup on Tuesday night – four days before they have to head north to Colwyn Bay to meet RGC 1404 in the last eight.
First-half tries from wing Gavin Thomas and centre Rhys Williams paved the way for a 23-13 win over fellow Premiership outfit Bedwas in the second round. Outside half Craig Evans added the rest of the points with his trusty boot, converting both tries and adding three penalties.
Bedwas could only muster a try through lock Joe Davies and eight points from the boot of James Dixon. The result means the Quins, runners-up at the Millennium Stadium in 2010, are now only two wins away from a second final appearance.
But even though their win over Bedwas brought some much needed relief and confidence to the club after their heavy defeat to Llanelli in the Premiership, director of rugby Ian Jones realises that this weekend’s trip to Parc Eirias is going to be a difficult one as his side attempts to reach the semi-finals for a second successive season.
“The fact RGC 1404 beat Aberavon in the last round speaks volumes for how good they are and how difficult a challenge it’s going to be. But we’ll prepare well and be diligent in looking at how they play and in our analysis,” said Jones.
“We can’t wait for the fixture and are looking forward to the welcome we’ll have up in North Wales as well.”
RGC 1404 will be without their Wales Under 20 full back Rhun Williams, who is playing for Wales against France on home turf on Saturday night, but he will be the only player missing from the side that beat Aberavon at home in the last round.
There are five Championship clubs in action this weekend, although the other four are all playing catch-up in completing previously postponed round two games. Cardiff Met might fancy their chances of causing an upset against Neath at The Gnoll in the battle to earn a quarter-final trip to Cross Keys, while Newbridge face an uphill task at Llandovery.
The winners of that game will travel to face the winners of the game between Newcastle Emlyn and Ebbw Vale in the quarter-final, while the ‘House of Pain’ awaits the winners of the clash between Llanelli and Merthyr this weekend.
Pontypridd beat Bridgend Athletic 45-14 to earn a home quarter-final and can expect a tough challenge from whoever emerges triumphant at Parc y Scarlets this weekend. Championship leaders Merthyr have lost only once to date this season and will travel west having beaten closest rivals Swansea 3-0 last weekend to go 11 points clear at the top of the table.
Llanelli, meanwhile, have won their last six games in all competitions and will go into the game on the back of a 40-14 hammering of Carmarthen Quins in the Premiership in their last outing.
There are also matches in both the SSE Swalec Plate and Bowl this weekend as teams attempt to make up for the horrendous weather of the past two months.
SSE Swalec Cup
Round 2
Llandovery v Newbridge
Llanelli v Merthyr
Neath v Cardiff Met
Newcastle Emlyn v Ebbw Vale
Round 3
RGC 1404 v Carmarthen Quins
SSE Swalec Plate
Round 3
Bala v Skewen
Dunvant v Treorchy
Glam Wands v Trebanos
Pencoed v Cwmllynfell
Rhiwbina v Ystrad Rhondda
Round 4
Rhydyfelin v Penallta
Whitland v CR Cymry Caerdydd
Ynysybwl v Rumney
SSE Swalec Bowl
Round 3
Brynithel v Ogmore Vale
Cardiff Meds v Haverfordwest
Glyncoch v Vardre
Round 4
Burry Port v Cowbridge
Fairwater v Taffs Well
Round 5
Birchgrove v Abercarn
Oakdale v Bynea
Tumble v Markham
