Cardiff’s visit to Carmarthen ended with an away win and another try from the front row union. The first half started brightly.

The Blue & Blacks spent most of the first quarter in the Quins half. Darren Ryan punching holes down the middle, but the final pass execution was poor and the attacks broke down. 

The home side were restricted to raids into the visitor’s half. Each time though Cardiff gave away penalties. But the normally reliable Gareth Cull didn’t have his kicking boots on, pushing two early attempts wide. Gareth Davies though did and in the 13^th minute he slotted a simple penalty to give Cardiff the lead. 

Eight minutes later Cull regained control of the radar, landing the first of two penalties, both awarded for offside offences. Cardiff though were playing all the rugby, but the miracle pass wasn’t going to hand. Davies did though level the scores with his second penalty. 

Ryan Howells had to be replaced at the end of the half with what looked like a nasty knee injury. Referee Whitehouse sensibly stopping play for Howells to get treated before any further damage could be done. 

The second half started as the first, with Cardiff huffing and puffing but unable to blow the Quins defence down. 

Then the defining moment of the game. A Quins attack on half way was broken up by Adam Powell who was securing more and more turnover ball.The ball was worked to Davies who fed Rhys James 30 meters out. The hooker threw an outrageous dummy to split the defence and sprinted over under the posts, Davies converted.  

A few minutes later the lead was extended as Davies kept up his 100% kicking record with another penalty. The game though then descended into what can only be described as a ‘scrappy’ phase. 

Cull did give the home side hope with his third penalty 10 minutes from time, but the Blue & Black’s defence with Powell to the fore contained the Quins attacks to gain a valuable away win. 

With that it was off to the Carmarthen club house for the traditional home welcome. As ever we look forward to our next visit.  

 

No	Name	▼()	T	P	C	D	Pts
15	Craig Morgan
14	Ryan Howells
13	Gareth Chapman
12	Darren Ryan
11	Nathan Rees
10	Gareth Davies			3	1		11
9	Tom Slater
1	Dan Preece
2	Rhys James		1				5
3	Dan Matthews
4	Ashley Sweet
5	Dan Partridge
6	Adam Powell
7	Jamie Ringer
8	Dan Godfrey (C)
	Replacements
16	Garry Horrigan	▲()
17	Phil Osborne	▲()
18	Craig Everett	▲()
19	Nick Hampson	▲(4)
20	Jake Thomas	▲(7)
21	Owen Ruttley	▲()
22	Jimmy Norris	▲(14)
	Penalty Try

  

	Against		T	P	C	D	Pts
	Carmarthen Quins			3			9