Dewi Cross, who first appeared as a Blue and Black’s off-the-bench against Ebbw Vale in October 2022, was one of five try scorers who helped see off a spirited Aberavon side 31-14.

Tries from Ethan Phillips, Harri Wilde, Alun Rees and Jason Harries saw the Blue and Blacks overturn a 14-0 deficit to keep their 100% home-winning record at the Arms Park.

In the opening exchanges, both teams shared possession equally, and the deadlock was broken after just seven minutes. This came from a brilliant chip over the top from outside half Ed Dunford, which was successfully gathered by Sam Jardine. Jardine finished off the move by offloading to Luke Davies, who raced over for the first try of the afternoon.

Moments later, the Wizards doubled their lead after the Blue and Blacks were penalised at the scrum. Then, after a successful take at the line-out, several phases followed, and Ashton Evans powered his way over on his 100th appearance for Aberavon.

The hosts responded accordingly, as Harri Wilde kicked into the corner after the visitors were penalised at the scrum. From the driving maul, there was a substantial amount of pressure on the Wizards’ defence, leading to Ethan Phillips crossing the whitewash for his first of the season. The visitors could extend their lead further after the Blue and Blacks were penalised at the breakdown. However, Ed Dunford’s shot deflected off the left upright.

Before halftime, the Blue and Blacks went hunting for their second of the afternoon. This soon paid off, as Harri Wilde crossed over in the corner for his first try of the season. Wilde brilliantly added the extras, which meant it was level at the break.

HT: Cardiff 14-14 Aberavon

The second half started quickly with a number of attacking threats early from the Blue and Blacks. However, at the 47-minute mark, referee Craig Evans awarded Aberavon’s James Clegg a yellow card after an infringement at the breakdown. With the one-man advantage, quick thinking at the lineout resulted in the Blue and Blacks’ third as Alun Rees snuck up the touchline to score his first of the season and put the hosts into the lead for the first time.

Shortly afterwards, the number of Blue and Blacks was reduced to 14 men after a Benji Williams shoulder-charge, but this didn’t stop the hosts. After a brilliant break from try scorer Harri Wilde who offloaded to Jason Harries to score his first try since the win against Llanelli in January 2020.

On 69 minutes, the visitors spilt an attacking threat and Harri Wilde kicked upfield a little too hard as the ball went dead and play was brought back just inside the hosts’ 22. From the resulting scrum, the Blue and Blacks were penalised at the scrum and ill-discipline was again an issue, but this time at the lineout after the kick into the corner. From the tap and go, there was some heroic defending on display from the hosts, leading to the Wizards being held up over the line.

Harri Wilde helped in making Cardiff’s fifth, which resulted in them claiming the bonus point, as the outside half made a brilliant break on the outside and offloaded back inside for Dewi Cross to score on his 50th appearance. Wilde was unable to add the extras but the Blue and Blacks recorded another bonus-point victory over Aberavon as they extend their lead at the top of Super Rygbi Cymru.