CARMARTHEN QUINS moved up to third place in the Indigo Premiership on Thursday night (Mar 31) as they beat Merthyr 23-27.
It was an exhilarating game which saw both sides hold the lead but the Quins were able to pull away late on to seal the win.
After an even start, the game turned as Merthyr’s Paddy McBride was shown a red for a dangerous high tackle.
However, despite being doen to 14, Merthyr scored a try through Ben Jones. The conversuib was missed but Gareth Thompson added a penalty to give the home side an 8-0 lead.
The Quins looked to get back in the game but a number of loose passes or knock-ons prevented them from scoring.
Early in the second half the Quins pushed for a score and it finally came courtesy of Lewis Millin as the visitors put the pressure on. The conversion was successful
Moments later the Quins were ahead as Lee Taylor went over after a great break. The conversion was successful and the Quins had an 8-14 lead with only 45 minutes gone.
That two-try burst only served to wake up the home side and they went in search of the next try. A great break took them forward and the Quins were penalised on the try line for playing the ball. A yellow card was shown.
Despite the pressure, the Quins were able to clear thir lines.
Merthyr kept the pressure on though and they eventually worked the ball out right for Adam Hoskins to touch down in the corner.
The conversion was missed but the score now stood at 13-14.
Gareth Thompson then put Merthyr back in the lead with a long range penalty.
The Quins regained the lead soon after though as they crossed for a try and the missed conversion meant they held a 16-19 lead.
The Quins then extended their lead to six points with a penalty with just under 10 minutes to play.
With two minutes to go the Quins all but made sure of the win as they went over in the corner to seal a bonus point.
The conversion was missed but the Quins had an 11-point lead with little time left.
Merthyr had possession as the clock went into the red as they went in search of a score that would give them losing bonus point.
A long kick forward presented an opportunity and Jarrod Cushion looked to have touched the ball down in the corner.
It was checked by the TMO who ruled that he had just put enough pressure on the ball to score. The conversion was successful to bring the final score to 23-27.
The win sees the Quins jump above Merthyr in to third place and the Quins will look for another win when they travel to Ebbw Vale on Saturday, April 9.
Merthyr’s next game is on Thursday, April 7, as they travel to league leaders Newport.
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