Defeat, but Quins make a fist of it

MERTHYR TYDFIL ............ 37 CARMARTHEN QUINS ...... 7

IT’S turning into a pretty miserable season for Carmarthen Quins, their latest defeat keeping their anchored in the bottom three of the Indigo Premiership.

The Wern is hardly the place to go to try to kick-start your season, especially on the back of an 88-point 12-try romp that the home side had won 48-40 against Llandovery in the cup the previous weekend.

That said, the Quins did incredibly well to hold on to their hosts and it was only 10-0 at the break after an eighth-minute try from flanker Tom Jeavons was converted by Gareth Thompson, who also kicked a penalty.

But two tries in as many minutes at the start of the second half completely turned the game and gave the Ironmen the platform to go on and take a bonuspoint with a five-try return.

“We were outstanding at times,” said acting Merthyr skipper Lloyd Ashley. “Those two tries at the start of the second half also helped.”

The first came from a Quins turnover and attempt to run out of defence. They dropped the ball and Paddy Mcbride pounced before Ben Jones then ran in the next one.

Merthyr finished with a penalty try and a final effort from Osian Davies. The Quins try came from wing Dylan Richards.