Ravens get blown away as the Quins go through gears
BRIDGEND Ravens tasted defeat in their opening Indigo Premiership Cup match against Carmarthen Quins at the Timbuild Brewery Field.
Bridgend led at half-time 10-7 after tries from Jamie Murphy and Tom Morgan followed an early score for Quins scrum-half Rhodri Davies.
After a close first half, the Quins stormed out of the blocks in the second half to come away with a comfortable bonus point win.
The early exchanges were reasonably even, but it was Carmarthen that got on the scoreboard first. Some quick hands put Rhodri Davies under the posts, a score which Josh Batcup improved.
Jamie Murphy put a penalty wide for Bridgend in the eighth minute, but made up for it 15 minutes later with a handy assist for centre Tom Morgan who powered his way over the line.
Murphy’s conversion slipped by the uprights, but ten minutes later after some intense Ravens pressure, he took matters into his own hands to bundle over for a close-range score. Edd Howley took over the kicking duties and drove the conversion wide.
HT: Bridgend Ravens 10-7 Carmarthen Quins
The Ravens were forced into making a raft of second changes - Murphy switched to full-back, both props were changed and Jacob Lloyd, a late addition to the Bridgend bench, came on at outside-half.
It was all Carmarthen Quins in the second 40, as they blitzed to an opening-day success. Rhodri Davies was on hand once again to get on the scoresheet for his side after some weak home defending. Batcup improved the score to put Carmarthen ahead.
The Quins’ renowned driving maul got in on the act next, with Torin Myhill the beneficiary just eight minutes later. Batcup got his third conversion to push Quins clear.
On the 60 minute mark, Kelmsley Mathias scored, before Nic Reynolds and Josh Davies rubbed salt into the Bridgend wounds with further tries.
Despite spending most of the second half on the back foot, Bridgend ended strongly with Howley continuing his fine try scoring form since joining the club, picking up a consolation with a minute left to play.
Bridgend Ravens travel to Llanelli on Saturday, kick-off at 2.30pm.