A 45-35 home win over RGC was followed by a brave and bold fightback to win 27-24 last time out at Pontypool Park and now they have the Quins very firmly in their sights in a game that could see them jump as high as third in the table.
No wonder then that long-serving coach Jason Hyatt describes the clash with the side sitting immediately above them in the table as “a massive game”.
“We’ve had two good bonus-points wins in a row and they have show us that our talented young squad is learning with every experience and is getting better game by game,” said Hyatt.
“We found a way to hit back and win at Pontypool after finding ourselves trailing 19-5. That takes some doing at a venue where few teams win.
“Our young players stood tall in the first half and then we were able to make changes and add some experience.”
Having been one of the best all-round teams before SRC was created, the Wizards fully embraced the spirit of the new, 10 team tournament by drastically reducing the average age of their side and drafting in many fresh faces.
If it was seen as a gamble at the time, then it is a decision that is on the cusp of returning some rich dividends.
As well as beating RGC and Pontypool, Hyatt’s men have also taken the scalps of reigning champions Newport and Bridgend.
“We finished in the top six last year having made 22 new signings in the summer before the first SRC campaign began. We went into SRC with our eyes wide open and stuck to the tough playing budgets that were set for us,” said Hyatt.
“We’re proud of that because it was a challenge and it made us invest in youth. We have scouted some fantastic talent as a result of those changes.
“Gwilym Evans has come into the back row and already played for the Ospreys, while Kiellan Cullen has come in from Hartpury University and been brilliant for us. I can see him having a future in the professional game.”
The Quins have proved far mightier this season that in years gone by and have been well fed by the Scarlets. Their will head to Aberavon with eight Scarlets in their ranks, including former Aberavon back row man Ben Williams.
“The Quins are a well run club and it has been great to see how the Scarlets have backed both them and Llandovery since the SRC was set-up.
"We’re very grateful to have three players from the Ospreys and in 19-year-old prop Dylan James we are helping to nurture a fine prospect,” added Hyatt.
The other game today sees Bridgend welcome RGC for a battle between the bottom two teams in the league. RGC have been highly competitive in every game, picking up seven bonus-points to go with their single victory in seven outings.
The Ravens have won twice.
RGC flanker Charlie Probert will make his 50th appearance for the Gogs on a day they will be hoping to mark the selection for Wales for the first time of former player Olly Cracknell.
Aberavon: Scott Delnevo; Cori Lewis-Jenkins, Joe Gage (captain), Sam Jardine, Frankie Jones; Charlie Thomas, Scott Whitlock; Freddie Chapman, Gavin Parry, Geraint James, Shay Smallman, Lewis Marsh, Rhys Thomas, Ashton Evans, Charlie Herdman
Reps: Morgan James, Ross Fox, Dylan James, Owen Griffiths, Morgan Francis, Ethan Williams, Caelan Carson-Jones, Tomi Booth
Carmarthen Quins: Steff Evans; Iori Badham, Ifan Davies, Jac Howells, Thomas Williams, Elis Price, Rhodri Lewis; Rhys Fawcett, Isaac Young, Connor Allen, Ryan Bean, Lee Taylor, Iestyn Richards, Shaun Evans (captain), Lewys Millin
Reps: Lewis Morgan, Gruff Williams, Ifan James, Iestyn Wood, Ben Williams, Eilir George, Gabe McDonald, Callum Woolley
Bridgend: Lloyd Wilkins; Ben Evans, Joseph Gatt, Fraser Jones, Cameron Ellis; Ben Burnell, Harvey Nash; Harry Olding, Tyler Olding, Owen Hatherill, James Richards, Dylan Burrows, James Owen, Zac O’Driscoll (captain), Thomas Jevons
Reps: Corey Lewis, Jared Williams, Callum Donoghue-Proud, Evan Hill, Kyle Harris, Chris Williams, Rhydian Greenhall, Mccauley Rowley
RGC: Dion Jones; Osian Llewelyn, Gethin O’Callaghan, Delwyn Jones, Caio Parry; Billy McBryde, Conor Dever; Gareth Parry, Jac Petch Jones, Olly Roe, James Brown, Billy McQueeney, Dafydd Thirsk, Charlie Probert, Sam Williams
Reps: 16 Osian Burt, Christian Hone, Paddy Nelson, Tal Taylor, Celt Ffransis Roberts, Tudur Jones, Rory Williams, Gruff Llwyd
