CARMARTHEN Quins crashed out of the Swalec Cup 16-6 at Ebbw Vale, well beaten by opponents who on the day were more committed and skilful.

The Steelmen had knocked out Newport in the second round and continued their giantkilling by outplaying another Premiership outfit on a pitch that had to pass several inspections.

The Quins should have realised the difficulty of the task ahead of them, but were on the back foot from the start as the division one east side piled into them with gusto.

Despite playing into the wind in the first half, Vale had the edge and it was only desperate Carmarthen tackling that kept them at bay.

Scarlets centre Aled Thomas kicked two penalties to one from Vale fly-half Dorian Jones to give the visitors a flattering 6-3 interval lead, but from then on it was one-way traffic.

It was hard to think that the Quins had taken some big scalps themselves in the Premiership as they ceded possession and territory in a one-sided second half.

"We have no excuses," admitted coach Steve Williams. "They did the simple things better, had patience and confidence in their build-ups and gave us very few turnovers. Whoever they play next will have a job on their hands.

"They were well coached, had a good kicking game as well as ease on the ball and it was a bad day at the office for us. We will have to wake up for the visit of Pontypridd on Saturday morning or we will be in trouble."

Once fly-half Dorian Jones drew his side level with a drop-goal early after the break, Vale's tails were really up.

Led by lock Damien Hudd, the forwards thundered into the contact area to build up momentum, and with ex-Neath scrum-half Gareth James sharp in his direction of operations, the Quins were up against it.

Jones kicked a monster penalty to make it 9-6 with 11 minutes left, but despite the valiant attempts of Quins skipper Ian Jones, flanker James Davies and lock Haydn Pugh at the line-out, the Steelmen continued to attack.

A long series of attacks ended with referee Sean Brickell awarding a penalty try for breaking up a scrum and Jones booted the conversion to take his side home in style.

Ebbw Vale: Try: Pen try. Con: D. Jones. Pens: D. Jones (2). Dr-gl: D. Jones.

Team: C. Simpson; W. Cunliffe, D. Dearden (T. Ashmead 56), T. Davies, T. MacPherson; D. Jones, G. James; R. Jones (J. Powell 80), M. Williams (R. Parry 80), R. Sevenoaks; D. Hudd (capt), A. Sweet; N. Coughlin (D Barry 75), E. Matthews, R. Kynes.

Carmarthen Quins: Pens: A. Thomas (2).

Team: D. Evans (C. Banfield 75); R. Thomas, J. Harris, A. Thomas, J. Howells; G. Morgan, H. Rees; A. Beaujean, R. Guest (R. Wilkes 47), I. Jones (capt), J. Barley (L. Joseph 61), H. Pugh, S. Phillips (C. Everett 47), A. Thomas (S. Bennett 70), J. Davies.