British and Irish Cup Play-Off

Carmarthen Quins 37 Llandovery 13

Thanks to an impressive second half performance the Quins won the Scarlets Region play-off final to decide who will will represent the region in the British and Irish Cup, writes Huw S Thomas

They outscored their old Towy Valley rivals by six tries to one to emphatically claim their place in the Cup where they will face Leinster A, Plymouth Albion and Jersey in October and December,

Llandovery had beaten Llanelli well the previous week but the nine changes they made were never going to be good enough to challenge the Quins.

The Drovers hung on well in the first half and actually led 13-10 until wing Jason Harries got a converted Quins try just before the break to make it 17-13.

Outfought in the contact area where Sion Bennett, Shaun Jones and Ellis Lloyd were prominent second half performers for the winners, Llandovery were up against it and despite the heroic efforts of flanker and skipper Phil Day, they could not match the crispness of the Carmarthen play.

Llandovery coach Lyndon Lewis was in phlegmatic mood after the defeat.

“We were turned over by a better side on the day but we will give a better account of ourselves against Ebbw Vale in the league next week, I promise,” he said

“We blooded a lot of youngsters and they competed well for 50 minutes before the Quins gained dominance up front.”

“We wish them or indeed whatever side the Scarlets decide to put out all the very best in forthcoming the B and I Cup”

Star of the show for the winners was little wing Chris Banfield who grabbed a hat-trick of tries – two in the first half and one in the second - with his nippy and darting dashes up the touch line.

Llandovery’s one try – in the first half - came when full back Rhys Williams ran back a loose kick and a sweeping movement ended with wing Joe Morgan sending centre Rhodri Jones in under the posts for a quality score.

The wind was in the home sails once flanker Bennett crossed in the 50th minute and tries from centre Iolo Evans and Banfield confirmed home dominance.