It was Bedwas who knocked out the Quins at the semi-final stage last season and Richard Kelly’s men will have revenge in mind when they meet again. Quins will also be hoping to finally get their hands on some silverware after losing to Llandovery in the WRU National Cup final last season.
Outside half Steff Marshall was the hero as he scored 23 points as he scored one of his side’s three tries, converted two of them and also kicked five penalties. Wing Morgan Griffiths got the other try and Craig Evans kicked an 80th minute penalty to make the game safe.
Marshall’s one man assault saw him score all 18 of his sides first-half points as they sped into a 23-14 lead. He kicked three penalties, scored a try which he also converted and then added the extras to a 35th minute penalty try. He started the second half with a fourth penalty to make it 26-14, but Merthyr refused to give in.
Owen Howe and Adam Hoskins scored first half tries for them and Dean Gunter converted them both. Gunter then added a penalty between two more from opposite number Marshall before the Quins stretched their lead to 17 points with Marshall’s try on the hour.
But two more converted tries from the Ironmen, from Louis Jones and Jamie Crockett, cut the gap to three points and set up a frantic finish. Evans’ sixth penalty for the Quins side steadied the nerves of the Quins fans and the final whistle was a huge relief.
