BACK – BUT NOT WITH A VICTORY
CARMARTHEN QUINS ...... 10 SWANSEA ........................... 24
NOT even the presence of Ken Owens could help Carmarthen Quins register their first Premiership win of the season.
The Wales hooker featured for the Quins in his first game in 11 months. But it was Swansea who were celebrating at the end as they claimed a 24-10 victory.
Defence was on top in the early exchanges and Owens played his part, winning a trademark turnover 10 minutes into the action.
It took 12 minutes before he got the chance to test his back in a scrum and he came through that exercise perfectly.
He found his line-out targets, despite only having had one training session with his team-mates, and hit rucks with his usual ferocity.
Despite early pressure from the visitors, it was the Quins who opened the scoring through the boot of Steff Marshall. Both teams enjoyed spells of possession as the half petered out, but the hosts held on to their lead at the break.
Swansea turned up the pressure to take the lead early in the second half following an excellent interception try from loosehead prop Cameron Jones, who ran in from 30 metres.
Cai Evans added a penalty before tries from Wales U20 full-back Iestyn Hopkins and Matthew Jenkins opened up a 24-3 lead.
The Quins hit back through a penalty try as Ben Warren was sin-binned for the visitors.
“Swansea were stronger in the second half and they have some fantastic youngsters coming through,” said Owens.
“They were tough to play against, I enjoyed the challenge and we got stuck in.
“My body got through it fine, no injuries, so all good there. I’m a bit banged up, just a couple of bumps and bruises, which is good, but no issues to report.”
CARMARTHEN QUINS
SWANSEA