Fosters Challenge Cup

Quarter-final

Carmarthen Quins 30 Llandovery 22

Carmarthen Quins became the first side to make the Fosters Challenge Cup semi-final thanks to an entertaining four tries to three win over the Drovers, writes Huw S Thomas

They qualify at the expense of Pool 1 adversaries Llandovery, Llanelli and Neath, even though they still have one pool game to play against Llanelli.

Director of Rugby Ian Jones was relieved at the final whistle.

“We had the better of the Drovers for most of the game but they never gave up and it was pretty tense at the end when a converted try would have made it a draw.” said Jones

“We are delighted to make the semi finals of the new competition as well as get through to the last 16 of the Swalec Cup, all of which makes up for our disappointing league position but with lots of players now back from injury we will hope to finish the season well.”

Drovers coach Euros Evans bravely named a lot of young players in his 23-man match squad and gave them all a run out.

“We needed to balance ambition with a need to give squad players valuable game time,” said Evans, “and all credit to them for making it a close game.”

“We have the Premiership and Swalec Cup to concentrate on now and everyone is excited at giving it a real go in both competitions.”

Although well short of full strength, the Drovers competed with gusto to push the Quins all the way but their dreams of becoming the first side ever to win the National 7s title, Premiership, Swalec Cup and Fosters Cup are now at an end.

The Quins deserved their win although they never really dominated and were glad to hang on in the dying minutes when their old rivals sniffed a draw.

The Quins had the edge in possession and territory in both halves but were behind 16-14 at the break.

Tries from centre Iolo Evans and wing Morgan Griffiths and a conversion from fly half Craig Evans were trumped by away efforts from full back Sam Soul and prop Scott Jenkins, both converted by promising fly half James Davies.

But two quick converted tries at the start of the second half from hooker Ifan Phillips – under the watchful eye of dad, former Wales hooker Kevin Phillips – and Iolo Evans gave the Quins a 14 point cushion.

For half an hour, play swung back and fore with exciting action near both goal lines until Soul - playing his first game of the season after concentrating on his medical studies – swept in under the posts, Davies converting to make it 30-22.

The Quins looked jittery in defending their important lead but deservedly made the Fosters Cup last four.

Premiership action returns on Saturday when the Drovers travel to Ebbw Vale where a win would keep them top of the table.