Jones on song as magnificent Pooler dump Quins out of the Cup
Pontypool ……23 C’marthen Q ….8
NATIONAL Championship leaders Pontypool shocked Carmarthen Quins to progress to the Cup quarter-finals after an impressive victory at Pontypool Park.
The hosts took an early lead from the boot of Matthew Jones, who had missed an earlier opportunity on 13 minutes, but that was cancelled out after Steffan Marshall also slotted in a three-pointer.
But Pooler, whose sole triumph in the competition came against Swansea in 1983, went back ahead after some quick thinking from scrum-half Martin Luckwell. He had been denied a try by the TMO in the opening minutes but made no mistake from a ruck with Jones converting.
Quins’ response was instant as Marshall finished off a flowing team move but he failed with the resulting conversion.
However, there was still just enough time for Pontypool to take a 17-8 half-time lead following a late firsthalf penalty try.
The first-half action had taken its toll on the pitch and the wet, muddy surface played its part in the second period as both sides struggled to play their game.
Pontypool opted to change from running rugby to kicking for points and they extended their lead over 2016 runners-up Carmarthen Quins through man-of-the-match Jones’ second penalty of the encounter just shy of the hour-mark.
Outside-half Jones added a third penalty to seal a place in the last eight of the Cup for the second consecutive season for Pooler.
Richard Kelly’s Quins tried to play their way back into the game but the clock, and surface, was against them as they came up short.
Star man
Matthew Jones – Pontypool
