PREMIERSHIP
Marshall kicks Quins to victory
CARMARTHEN QUINS 26 MERTHYR .................... 13
MERTHYR remain top of the premiership after slipping to their third defeat of the season against a very physical and strong Carmarthen Quins side.
Both sides took a while to adapt to the slippery surface but it was the quins pack that had the Merthyr eight under pressure in the opening quarter and the first score came from a Merthyr collapsed scrum which saw home outside half Steffan Marshall kick the three points.
He soon doubled his tally when Merthyr were guilty of pulling down a line out to extend the Quins lead to 6-0.
As Merthyr began to settle their backs began to move the quin’s forwards around the park and this was rewarded when a fine break from scrum half Rhys Downes found wing man Terri Gee in space 30 meters out who raced over for the try, full back Matthew Jarvis converting to give Merthyr a 6-7 lead.
However, this was short lived as Merthyr were again penalised for pulling down at the lineout out and Marshall slotted over his third penalty.
As hard as Merthyr tried they found the Quins defence hard to break down.
Merthyr backs looked dangerous when they moved the ball with centre Pincers smashing his way in the mid field and this was rewarded when Quins gave away a penalty for off side which saw Jarvis made no mistake with the penalty to regain the lead 9-10.
Merthyr second rows Locke and Murphy struggled at the lineout to gain any clean ball as Carmarthen spoiled and pressured any possession Merthyr could get. As half time approached the Quins were rewarded a kickable penalty which they turned down and elected to kicked deep into the Merthyr 25.
Following a spate of intense pressure close to the line which saw big tackles from Tom Daley, Ed Siggery and Phil Rees keeping the quins out Referee Cambourne awarded them a penalty under the posts which saw Marshall make no mistake as he kicked his 4th penalty to give the quins a 12-10 half time lead.
The second half was a similar pattern as the first with once again big hits and tackles going in from both sides, and it was the quins that extended their lead when a clever chip kick from home scrum half Connor Lloyd just outside the Merthyr 25 bounced back up into his hands as he raced over for the try, Marshall converted to give the quins a 19-10 lead.
Back came Merthyr as they started once again to put several phases together and were unlucky when try scorer Gee kicked ahead near the half way line only for his kick to bounce into touch with no quins in sight.
Jarvis reduced the Quins’ lead once again when he kicked his second penalty after a high tackle to bring Merthyr within 6 points at 19-13.
The next score was important to both sides as they looked to win the game. Merthyr were awarded a penalty on the half way line after the Quins were caught offside which saw Jarvis take quick as he raced away but his long pass to Trowbridge going to ground and the chance was gone.
Merthyr were guilty of giving several penalties away which the quins kicked deep into the Merthyr 25 to put the pressure back on Merthyr and this was rewarded when a catch and drive saw number 8 Morgan Allan crash over from short range, Marshall converted to give the Quins a 26-13 lead.
As hard as Merthyr tried they could not get back into the game.
This was a very intense and physical game with the heavier Quins pack keeping the Merthyr 8 under pressure most of the afternoon. The Merthyr backs looked sharp with what ball they had but overall the Quins deserved their victory. Merthyr remain on top of the premiership with three games remaining until the top 8 split as rivals Aberavon and Bedwas both lost.
Merthyr’s next league game is not until the 27th December when they face North Wales side RGC 1404 at home, this is followed by a home game against local rivals Bargoed on News Year’s Eve, before an away game with rivals Aberavon.
The next two Wednesday’s Merthyr turn their attention back to the Fosters cup where they play Ebbw Vale away this Wednesday followed by Bargoed home on the 14th.