Quins hot up title race

Jan 21 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

CARMARTHEN QUINS stoked the fires of the Division One West title race as they moved level on points with leaders Tonmawr after a crushing 45-9 defeat of Bridgend Athletic.

The Quins have played a game more than Ton, but, with an unbeaten record stretching back to September and with a league double-header still left to play against their title rivals, the two-horse run-in is heading down to the wire.

This weekend, Tonmawr were left frustrated by another postponement and Quins took the opportunity to heap pressure on their rivals for the title as they raced in six tries.

The home side had built up a useful 19-3 lead by half-time and then opened up in the second half with Jim Morgan and Josh Freeman defying the blustery conditions to cross for a hat-trick of tries.

Mark Jones added 13 points from the boot, while in reply Athletic could only muster three penalties through outside-half Stuart Morris and were not helped by losing a player in each half to the sin-bin.

Outside-half Aled Davies kept third-placed Narberth’s faint title hopes alive with a virtuoso performance in a 24-15 win at Corus.

With Corus down to 14 men after Andrew Healey’s dismissal in the 38th minute for a second yellow card, Davies took full advanatage with a try, four penalties and a conversion to finish with a match haul of 19 points. Centre Steve Martin claimed the Otters’ other try, but they still remain a daunting 11 points adrift of the leaders, and look to have too much to do.

In the division’s only other surviving match, Merthyr moved above visitors Bonymaen in the table after a comprehensive 36-10 triumph.

Centre Matthew Edwards led the way with a brace of tries, while Paul Watkins, Christian Dacey, Michael Shopra and Liam Rees also got in on the act. Darren Pearce added three conversions, while Andrew Cousins crossed for Bonymaen’s consolation score.

Newbridge’s home tie with Uwic was the only game to go ahead in Division One East and a strong first-half showing set up their 23-17 victory. Centre Sean Thomas starred with 12 points, including a try.