Quins battle hard, but Wizards have the magic touch

ABERAVON will battle it out with Llandovery for the top spot in the Premiership Cup Western Conference when they meet next weekend at Church Bank.

The Wizards’ latest bonus-point win kept them two points clear of the Drovers at the top with one game to play and came despite a raft of injuries and regional call-ups.

Head coach Jason Hyatt had centre Joe Thomas at outside-half and had no scrum-half cover on his bench.

Flanker Lloyd Evans took over as

ABERAVON ......................... 22 CARMARTHEN QUINS ...... 17

the fourth captain for Aberavon this season and had another fine game.

Opposite him, former Dragons back-row specialist Nic Cudd picked up an injury in the opening five minutes and had to leave the field.

Aberavon went ahead when wing Aled Rees scored a try and then former Wales U20 wing Frankie Jones added a second. Chris Banfield converted one and the Wizards led 12-0 at the break.

The Quins hit back early in the second half when they worked wing Morgan Griffiths clear for a try, but Aberavon hit back immediately as acting skipper Evans crossed for a third home try.

The visitors, still on course for a place in the knockout phase, kept battling away and replacement scrum-half Rhodri Davies took a quick tap-penalty and raced clear for a try that half-back partner Jac Wilson improved on.

The Wizards were still one try short of a bonus point, but Andrew Waite started a move that led to Chay Smith racing clear for the vital fourth score.

There was one last hurrah from the Quins with an interception try from Wilson. That at least ensured they went home with a losing bonus point.

ABERAVON  Tries: A Rees, F Jones, L Evans, C Smith; Con: C Banfield.

CARMARTHEN QUINS  Tries: M Griffiths, R Davies, J Wilson; Con: J Wilson.