Carmarthen Q..14
Cardiff RFC…….23
The Quins certainly saved their best until last as they got stuck into reigning champions Cardiff and stopped them from picking up a bonus-point.
In their final outing of the season, Marc Jones’ men fronted up in the forwards and tackled like demons in the backs to make it a very uncomfortable afternoon for the Blue & Blacks at Carmarthen Park.
The visitors led 10-0 at the interval before seeing the gap cut to three points early in the second half.
As a dress-rehearsal for their WRU Premiership Cup final clash with arch-rivals Newport on Sunday, it was a bit of a mixed bag.
But it was probably more profitable for head coach Steve Law than Newport’s 12-try romp just up the road in Llanelli.
Law gave Wales U20 back row man Luca de la Rua a first start and told all his players they were on trial ahead of the final.
Hooker Alun Ress barged his way over for the opening try and Wales U20 outside-half Harrison James added the conversion and kicked a penalty to give Cardiff their 10-point lead at halftime.
Replacement scrumhalf Aaron Hemmings then sniped his way over for a try in the 52nd minute, which Steff Marshall improved, and the game was suddenly right back in the melting pot.
Cardiff needed the cool and experienced head of Dan Fish to intervene with a penalty five minutes later.
A third goal kicker, Ioan Evans, then added another penalty to make it 16-7 before centre Ryan Wilkins burst over for a fine try that Evans converted.
The Quins managed to pick up a consolation try through replacement lock Josh Helps at the death.
Star man
Luca de la Rua – Cardiff
