Quins hold on to deny Llanelli first win

LLANELLI got within a whisker of their first win of the season as they fought back against Carmarthen Quins, but it was the visitors who claimed derby glory.

In the end the home side paid for leaking three tries in the first half.

“We aren’t going to become world beaters in a couple of weeks but I think we are building positively towards the start of the Premiership next month,” said Llanelli head coach Paul Fisher.

“We took the decision to blood a lot of youngsters in the cup and they are improving with the more game time they are getting. We can play, but we just need to get a more consistent supply of the ball.”

Steff Hughes gave the home side the perfect start with a try after only two minutes and Josh Phillips added the extras.

The visitors launched their fightback via the boot of outside-half Jac Wilson. He kicked a penalty and converted a try in the corner from last summer’s Scotland squad member Javan Sebastian, who sprinted over for his side’s first try.

Better was to come from the visitors as hooker Rhys Lawrence was the beneficiary of an unstoppable driving maul and then scrum-half Rhodri Davies crossed for a third.

Wilson improved all three.

Phillips responded with a try that he also converted on the stroke of half-time to cut the gap to 10 points.

Wilson took his tally to 12 points with a penalty three minutes after the restart, but five minutes later Ryan Davies ran in a second home try.

On the stroke of time, Rhys Cherry ensured Llanelli at least got something out of the game with a try that earned them a losing bonus point.

LLANELLI – Tries: S Hughes, J Phillips, R Davies, R Cherry; Cons: J Phillips (2).

CARMARTHEN QUINS – Tries: J Sebastian, R Lawrence, R Davies; Cons: J Wilson (3); Pens: J Wilson (2).