CARM QUINS .................. 24 SWANSEA ........................ 21

A LAST-MINUTE Steff Marshall penalty saw Carmarthen Quins defeat Swansea in an exciting affair at The Park.

It was a cagey opening quarter to the match with neither side looking particularly threatening.

But the visitors took the lead on 20 minutes through a James Davies penalty.

Davies doubled his side’s lead when the Quins defence strayed offside in midfield, but his joy was short-lived as the home side regathered their composure.

First, Ed Siggery leapt high to steal a Swansea line-out on halfway and Marshall was then successful with the afternoon’s first 50:22 touchfinder.

The visitors were penalised for offside and Marshall chipped to the corner with Gethin Davies driven over for a try.

It looked as though the Quins would run away with the match after an unstoppable 40-metre maul earned a penalty try, with Charlie Davies also yellow-carded by referee Dewi Phillips.

But to their credit, the All Whites hit back immediately when Hanno Dirksen chargeddown a kick and Harri Houston raced up to within a metre of the line.

The visitors recycled the ball quickly out wide for Houston to touch down in the corner.

And the visitors were soon back in the lead thanks to a magnificent crossfield kick by James Davies that was expertly caught by Gareth Rees, who raced in to score at the corner.

The Quins pack drove forward from a line-out with Lee Taylor claiming a try to restore his side’s lead.

Houston was brought down inches from the line, but a penalty saw James Davies tie the scores.

But it was the Quins who finished the stronger with Leon Randell taking a high ball followed by a quick tap-penalty by Rhodri Davies driving his side across the 22.

Offside in midfield by the visitors saw Marshall kick the winning points in the final moments.