Llandovery 35 Carmarthen Quins 5
The Tywi Valley Christmas derby went squarely the way of the Drovers who are now unbeaten in their last six games writes Huw S Thomas, courtesy of the Brecon & Radnor Express
You have to go back to October 2017 for the Quins’s last league win over Llandovery and they rarely looked as if they could come anywhere near that hard earned 26-12 success.
The Carmarthen side competed well enough and created good chances but they did not have the fluency and cutting edge of their old Carmarthenshire rivals for whom forwards Joe Powel, Llyr Green and Osian Davies were irrepressible.
So too behind the scrum were full back and class act Jac Davies, centre Adam Warren and fly half Ioan Hughes.
Coach Euros Evans was pleased as punch with the six points win.
“Local derbies are often unpredictable so to get the maximum points against a much improved Quins was a Christmas bonus.”
“Wc are on a good run at the moment but will be very wary when we play the Quuns again this coming Saturday.”
“We are slowly returning to our form of last year but we have some tough fixtures to come.”
The speed of ball from the breakdown was crucial to Llandovery success, giving captain Lee Rees the opportunity the time to dictate things from scrum half.
Centre Adam Warren was a tower of intelligence in attack and defence and despite prop Jamie Hughes having a yellow card for a tip tackle in in the very first minute, the Drovers soon led after wing Llien Morgan grabbed a try after nine minutes.
Morgan soon got his second after a big carry from lock Morgan Jones worked in the wing before the Quins responded with a good try of their own.
No 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu charged forward a number of times to set up a corner try for Ifan Davies before a close range line out rumble ended with a touchdown by Llandovery hooker Taylor Davies.
A wonderful cover tackle by Llandovery full back Jac Davies on Ifan Davies saved a certain try just before the break and with fly half Ioan Hughes having converted all three Llandovery tries, it was 21-5 at the break.
A patient build up ended with a Jamie Hughes touchdown, converted by fly half Hughes who then made a magnificent last gasp tackle on wing Louis Rees.
Jac Davies again denied Rees a score and although flanker Stuart Worrall was yellow carded for a ruck offence, the Drovers finished in style.
After countless carries by the forwards, replacement lock Ed Scragg went in under the posts to seal a conclusive home win – a scoreline slightly harsh on the Quuins who will be out for revenge this coming Saturday when the two side clash at Carmarthen Park.
Llandovery
Tries: L Morgan (2), T Davies, J Hughes, E Scragg
Cons: I Hughes (5)
Carmarthen Quins
Try I Davies:
Llandovery:
J Davies; L Morgan, Adam Warren R Jones, I Phillips; I Hughes, L Rees (capt); J Hughes, T Davies, L Green, M Jones, J Powell O Davies, N Hart, S Worrall
Replacements: D Dallavalle, B Watkins G Williams, E Scragg, J Evans, E Sheldon, J Maynard, G Macdonald
Carmarthen Quins
I Badham; I Davies, J Howells, G McDonald, L Rees; A Thomas, R Lewis; R Fawcett, S Jones, C Allen, L Taylor (capt), J Helps, L Millin, C Tuipulotu, B Wiliiams
Replacements: G Williams, C Ifans, I James, R Bean, T Curry, T Morgan, R Davies, E George