Match Report – Pontypridd v Carmarthen Quins

A last gasp penalty from Jac Wilson sealed a victory for Carmarthen Quins at Sardis Road.

Despite tries from Joel Raikes and Garyn Daniel, Ponty fell to yet another narrow defeat.

The opening score of the afternoon went the way of the visitors with a 50/22 struck by inside centre Harrison Griffiths giving a solid platform inside Ponty’s 22. Wilson was involved in the creating of the try with a brilliant cross-field kick to winger Corum Nott who finished superbly in the corner.

Quins outside centre Ryan Davies was shown a yellow card for not rolling away before Ponty’s second row James Little was sent to the bin following an off the ball incident.

Ponty responded well and they got their first points of the afternoon when scrum-half Joel Raikes sniped down the blindside from a rolling maul to score. Fly-half Joseph Scrivens added the extras to draw the scores level at 7-all.

Both sides struggled to maintain possession with malfunctioning lineouts.

Scrivens added a penalty to give the hosts the lead before Wilson replied with a penalty-goal of his own and it was level at halftime at 10-10.

HALF TIME – Pontypridd 10-10 Carmarthen Quins

Quins picked up the first points of the second half with Wilson adding his second penalty of the afternoon.

Ponty managed to take control of possession and territory and a guilt-edged chance went begging before they rumbled over through Garyn Daniel – the replacement prop powering over for the try, Scrivens added the extra two points.

With the hosts leading, Scrivens added a penalty to give Ponty a seven-point lead at 20-13 with the game heading into the final quarter.

Quins winger Nott scored his second try of the afternoon with another superb finish after a devastating fend on fly-half Scrivens who had now moved to full-back.

As the game headed into the final few moments, the visitors gained momentum in the scrum and forced a penalty – Wilson converted it to give the visitors the win at the death.

FULL TIME – Pontypridd 20-23 Carmarthen Quins (18/2/2023)

Match report – Iestyn Thomas

PONTYPRIDD –

15. Alex Lloyd (Harri Wilde). 14. Sam Hayman (Tommy Morgan). 13. Niko Matawalu. 12. Jordan Howells. 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Joseph Scrivens. 9. Joel Raikes

1. Ben Stephens (Tom Devine). 2. Rob Jones (Gavin Parry). 3. Tom Harper (Garyn Daniel). 4. Kristian Parker (c). 5. James Little. 6. Cai James (Aled Ward). 7. Sion Parry. 8. Joe Miles

Subs: 16. Gavin Parry. 17. Tom Devine. 18. Garyn Daniel. 19. James Murphy. 20. Aled Ward. 21. Rory Harries. 22. Tommy Morgan. 23. Harri Wilde

Tries: Raikes, Daniel

Conversions: Scrivens x 2

Penalties: Scrivens x 2

Yellow Card: Little

CARMARTHEN QUINS –

15. Dale Ford. 14. Dylan Richards. 13. Ryan Davies. 12. Harrison Griffiths. 11. Corum Nott. 10. Jac Wilson. 9. Aron Hemmings

1. James Newnian. 2. Sion Jones. 3. Connor Allen. 4. Haydn Pugh. 5. Josh Helps. 6. Lee Taylor (c). 7. Tom Curry. 8. Lewys Millin

Subs: 16. Ifan James. 17. Torin Myhill. 18. Ben Leung. 19. Ryan Bean. 20. Will Icke. 21. Gethin Davies. 22. Rhodri Davies. 23. Josh Batcup

Tries: Nott x 2

Conversions: Wilson x 2

Penalties: Wilson x 3

Yellow Card: Ryan Davies

Referee: Elgan Williams

Assistant referees: 1 – Mark Butcher, 2 – Karim Cosslett

Golden Bob Man of the Match: Joe Miles

WRU Man of the Match: Niko Matawalu