EMLYN INJURY CRISIS MOUNTS

 WRU CHALLENGE CUP

Carmarthen Quins 63 Newcastle Emlyn 10

The injury jinx that seems to be following Newcastle Emlyn around like a bad penny shows no sign of relenting as the red and whites were hit badly again on the weekend.

The Emlyn season had already been blighted by a succession of injuries and Saturday at The Park was no exception with two dislocated shoulders, one cracked elbow joint, and a broken jaw, which left their bench looking more like a hospital casualty department and the coaches have a lot of work to do to assemble a side for the trip to Dunvant on Saturday.

The Quins were quicker, more physical, and accurate in everything they did. Even the most optimistic Emlyn supporter expected nothing more than total commitment by the red and whites and the fact that they scored the last two tries for their ten points is testament to their team spirit.

The underdogs started positively and retained possession through a series of rucks as they went at the Quins from the first whistle. With skipper Alex Williams leading by example they were soon camped in the Quins twenty two. Unfortunately this period of pressure also led to the first of Emlyn’s injuries when second row Dan Havard had to leave the field with a dislocated shoulder, to be replaced by Bleddyn Davies. Havard has been in tremendous form this season and his loss will be a grievous blow to the red and whites.

Such was the start Emlyn had that it took until the twelfth minute before the Quins reached the visitors twenty two metre area and opened the scoring with a well worked team try which eventually saw centre Callum Price cross under the posts for a try converted by outside half Craig Evans. Emlyn’s woes continued when in the build up to the try outside half Dyfan Dafydd suffered a serious injury to his elbow and was replaced by Barry Thomas.

The rest of the half was basically dominated by the Quins and Emlyn had to defend for all their worth. Centres Richard Hope and Tomi Jones worked really hard to stem successive Quins attacks but the hosts added to their score at regular intervals with tries from Price again, number eight Shaun Evans, an interception from winger Morgan Griffiths and a penalty try, all converted by Evans.

With a half time score of 35 – 0 things looked ominous for the visitors with the pressure being exerted by Quins when Emlyn had the ball making life comparatively easy for the home side. Winger Morgan Griffiths added another three tries to his total and full back Gavin Thomas got his name on the score sheet with Evans converting two of them and centre Josh Batcup converting the last three tries.

Emlyn though never gave up and the forwards came more into the match as the game went on. Number eight Brynmor Jones had some powerful runs down the field and was well supported by flanker Joel James and second row Ryan Morgans. Not to be out done, full back Shaun Leonard put in some huge clearance kicks downfield and was always alert to the possibility of a counter attack with the ball in hand.

Hard working flanker Gethin Davies had to leave with a dislocated shoulder and he was replaced by Gareth Thomson but he only lasted some ten minutes before having to leave the field with a broken jaw.

The last twenty minutes of the game proved to be Emlyn’s best period of the game. A new front row of Emrys Daves, Tom Curry, and Neil Elworthy, brought fresh legs and energy to the visitors cause as the three of them were eager to carry the ball forward. A good run by Leonard saw him brought down in the Quins twenty two, Brynmor Jones combined well with Llyr Jones down the right wing and suddenly Emlyn were playing with a great deal more confidence and accuracy.

A quickly taken penalty be replacement scrum half Mike Jones on the half way line saw him catch the home defence flat footed and winger Llyr Jones was on his shoulder in support to take the scoring pass for a fully deserved try for the red and whites.

From the restart Emlyn retained possession and went through a series of rucks as they made their way upfield and, showing great patience and control, eventually worked the ball out to the right wing where flanker Joel James was able to cross in the corner for the final try of the game.

A miserable afternoon for Newcastle Emlyn in more ways than one and they will now have to dust themselves down and focus on an important league game this weekend.