PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP
BRIDGEND had not won at Carmarthen since March 2006 and the dismal record continued at the Park where they never looked likely to upset the in-form Quins.
New Quins coach Emyr Phillips - the ex-Scarlets and Wales hooker – was delighted to see his side run in six tries and win their sixth game in nine outings.
Things did not start well for him with the home defeat to Newport on his first day in charge but the Quins have improved steadily.
The Bridgend scrum was in early trouble and the reward for the Quins strength was immediate, centre Nick Reynolds weaving through under the posts for a try converted by full back Aled Thomas.
Bridgend wing Will Holley reduced the leeway with a penalty but a driving maul from a line out ended with enterprising wing Dale Ford joining in to get the touchdown.
Another scrum offence gave Thomas the chance to put over a penalty off the upright
The Ravens had their first serious attack on the half hour with fly half Ryan A 21-POINT second half salvo from Cardiff was enough to send Aberavon crashing to their first home defeat of the season and make it five wins in a row for the resurgent Blues & Blacks.
It was always the visitors who looked likely to win and they took the try-count by 5-2 with Aberavon totally at sea for the second successive match. Cardiff were stronger up front and by the finish were shunting the home pack all over the field.
It took only five minutes for Cardiff to crack the home defence when Wales Under 20 centre Ben Thomas crossed. The response from the Wizards was prompt as full back Jonny Phillips raced clear to mark his 100th appearance for the club with a fine try
Gareth Thompson then landed a penalty before Cardiff took a lead they were never to lose when Thomas went over again. Thompson added the extras and then stretched the lead with another penalty.
Aberavon skipper James Garland hit back with a try of his own, which he also converted on the stroke of half-time, to make it 18-12 to the visitors at the break. But from thereon in BEDWAS moved out of the danger zone in the bottom half of the Principality Premiership as they stung Llanelli with 10 crucial points in the closing 10 minutes.
In the end it was a try from wing Kane Teear-Bourge that tipped a thrilling game in favour of the visitors at Parc Y Scarlets.
The immaculate Joe Scrivens added the extras to regain the lead and then kept his cool to take his match tally to 13 points with a last gasp penalty that sealed the home side’s fate.
Llanelli got off to a flying start and were soon 10 points clear thanks to a second minute penalty from Ashley Sutton and a penalty try awarded shortly after for a deliberate knockon.
That left Bedwas with a mountain to climb, but by half-time they had worked their way back into the contest.
Scrivens kicked a penalty to get them onto the board and then converted a neat try from outside half Jacob Chilcott. Bedwas then took the lead when centre Mike Callow weaved his way over, but they then Evans making a good break but a series of close range scrums and line outs were well defended by Quins.
But a yellow card for scrum half Liam Davies cost the Quins a penalty kicked by Holley to make it 15-6 at the break.
A retreating scrum gave Thomas another penalty as Quins piled on the pressure, prop Gethin Robinson getting over from a line out drive.
Slick and swift interpassing between centre Josh Batcup and Thomas sent wing Matthew John haring 30 metres into the corner, Thomas converting expertly.
There was a fifth try from very mobile replacement hooker Tom Ball before another replacement in centre Dylan Morgans strode way for a late try, both converted from wide out by fly half Steff Marshall to finish off a very fine Quins performance . QUINS: Tries – N Reynolds, D Ford, G Robinson, M John, T Ball, D Morgans; cons – A Thomas (2), S Marshall (2); pens – A Thomas (2) BRIDGEND: Pens – W Holley (2) it was a one-sided affair.
Wing Matthew Powell intercepted to bag a poachers try 16 minutes into the second half and Thompson’s conversion meant all that was really left to play for was the bonus-point. Aberavon tried desperately to throw the ball around but never again looked like getting past an improving Cardiff defence.
Further tries just had to come and after 63 minutes classy young full back Ioan Davies raced into the line to score with ease and Thompson again added the extras. There was just enough time for one final salvo and replacement back rower Morgan Allen barged over for a try that was this time improved by another replacement, Steffan Jones. ABERAVON: Tries: J Phillips, J Garland; Con: J Garland. CARDIFF: Tries: B Thomas (2), M Powell, I Davies, M Allen; Cons: G Thompson (3), S Jones; Pens: G Thompson (2). lost Scrivens to the sin-bin for a break down offence.
Llanelli made the most of their extra man and on the stroke of halftime Kalum Evans levelled the scores at 15-15.
That ensured there was everything to play for after the break and Sutton edged the home side ahead with his second penalty.
Scrivens replied, but Llanelli skipper Nathan Hart crossed for a try that made it 23-18 to set up a tense final quarter.
Bedwas kept their cool and TeearBourge’s try restored the lead for them.
Scrivens boot then saw the visitors home and the four points from only their third win of the season moved them up into 10th in the table. LLANELLI: Tries: N Hart, K Evans, Pen Try; Pens: A Sutton (2) BEDWAS: Tries: J Chilcott, M Callow, K Teear-Bourge; Cons: J Scrivens (2); Pens: J Scrivens (3)