Quins’ win keeps title hopes alive

2:28pm Friday 2nd May 2008

Carmarthen Quins 37.

Narberth 30.

Carmarthen Quins kept their championship hopes alive with a narrow win over Narberth in this exhilarating game of rugby during which 67 points were scored.

Both teams were determined to win but the Quins drew first blood with a try by scrum-half Ricky Richards converted by outside-half Craig Jones. They led 32-24 at half time.

Centre Alex Wilkins, hooker Chris Francis and scrum-half Ricky Richards scored the other tries for Quins, two of which were converted by Craig Jones, who also kicked two penalties.

Narberth fought back with tries from flanker Rob Morgans, winger Tom Bonnell, centre Richard Davies and number eight Lloyd Phillips. Outside-half Aled Davies kicked two conversions.

The second half was not quite the repeat of the frenetic action in the first half and the points dried up, with both teams defending strongly, although attack was uppermost in their minds.

The Quins added an unconverted try by lock Chris Jones and the Otters narrowed the gap with two penalties from Aled Davies.

The game was played at a tremendous pace with high class skill levels. It was a terrific advertisement for the quality of Division One west rugby.

For Narberth, the result ended any faint hopes of an outside chance at the title, but a third place finish is a highly commendable result for this young team, and a staging post in the continued development of the squad.

Narberth: Sion Brace (captain), Tom Bonnell, Steve Martin, Richard Davies, Nick Jones, Aled Davies, Adrian Killa (Andrew Davies), Ryan Perrott (Tom Slater), Dan Smith, Justin Hughes, Chris James (Jason Jennings), Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman, Rob Morgans, Lloyd Phillips.