Match Report

Carmarthen Quins 20 - Neath 22

Carmarthen Park, Sat 21st Feb 09 KO: 14:30

Carmarthen Quins 20 Neath 22

THERE'S something about the sixth round of the cup that gives Neath the jitters.
At the same stage last year, the Blacks survived a 20-20 scare at first-division Tonmawr and went through on try-count.
They, however, went on to lift the cup for a fifth time while on this occasion another first-division team, unbeaten leaders Carmarthen Quins, gave them a headache.
The Carmarthen Park side should have forced extra time but fly-half Gareth Cull, who didn't put on his kicking boots, missed a 90th-minute conversion.
Nine minutes into stoppage time with Neath 22-15 ahead and down to 14 men, a last throw of the dice yielded Quins a try.
Fly-half Arwel Thomas was unfortunate to have received a yellow card off referee Jonathan Mason, after being clearly obstructed in pursuit of his kick ahead.
Quins exploited the extra man in keeping the ball alive through countless phases, and eventually ex-Bonymaen wing Ryan Llewellyn was released for a corner try.
Final move had been declared so everything then hinged on the touchline conversion from fly-half Gareth Cull.
But the former Bridgend player saw the kick go agonisingly wide, and once again Neath reflected on the great escape act.
This proved one of six goal misses from Cull, and these failures cost his team 16 points.
However, it should not have come down to the late conversion miss, as Quins only reached the Neath 22 twice during the second half, scoring tries on both occasions.
"All in all the tie was a poor spectacle, riddled with errors, although it did provide an exciting climax," explained Neath director of rugby Rowland Phillips.
Quins, unbeaten in 17 previous league and cup games, fought like alley cats with No 8 Chris Jones the star performer.
They took on board a colourful pre-match address from coach Max Howells, and on this form they are destined to return to the Welsh Premiership.
Two new wings have been erected on either side of the main grandstand with bucket seats now the order of the day.
The changing facilities and medical room are also a vast improvement, and they look set to pass the criteria test.
The only obstacle in their way could come from the east but Newbridge, who have applied for promotion, are beginning to lose early season sparkle.
That could rule out a play-off between the respective east and west champions, giving Quins a straight passage back.
"In all honesty, Saturday's league game at Narberth was always more important to us than the cup-tie with Neath," said Carmarthen Quins team manager Steff Thomas.
He went on: "Our season has been based on returning to the Premiership, and the narrow defeat against Neath has further boosted confidence.
"Our forwards were more than a match for them, and the character in the side was there for all to see.
"In the end the 16 points in missed goal kicks cost us the tie, but hopefully we will meet Neath again next season in the top tier.''
Former Neath utility back Neil Clapham nipped over for an eighth-minute try that went unconverted.
Gradually, the cup holders took stock of the situation with centre Matty James landing an 18th-minute penalty.
Ten minutes later turnover ball was spread quickly by Kiwi scrum-half Kevin Farrell, and a long pass from fly-half Thomas sent wing Matthew Nuthall in at the corner.
And two minutes before the break, continual pressing from the Blacks led to Nuthall crossing for a try on a two-man overlap.
Centre James added the conversion, making it 15-5 at the interval, but Quins responded with a 45th-minute try from No 8 Chris Jones, goaled by Cull.
In the 69th minute, a Cull penalty tied the scores on 15-15, but three minutes later Neath retook the lead.
Replacement flanker Ciaran Ruddock took line-out ball on the home throw and the ball was whipped left for centre Luke Ford to touch down at the posts.
The conversion from centre James made it 22-15, and it seemed as if Neath were on the way to the quarter-finals.
But the extended injury time, brought about by an ankle injury suffered by Neath wing Nuthall, had Carmarthen Park rocking.
However, Neath clung on with gritty displays from captain Gareth Gravell and scrum-half Farrell proving the standout features.
It was later confirmed that wing Matthew Nuthall broke his ankle and is unlikely to play again this season.