Cardiff RFC returned to winning ways as they put aside Aberavon RFC dramatically, 28-24, at the Talbot Athletic Ground.
On his first league start for the Blue and Blacks, Evan Nicholls-Ngasseu claimed himself a brace and was accompanied by Joe Goodchild and Craig Hudd, who also crossed the whitewash. Harri Wilde slotted six points from the tee as Matty Young also converted two points.
This narrow victory now sees Cardiff move to second spot in the Super Rygbi Cyrmu table, five points ahead of Llandovery RFC in third and 15 points off top-of-the-league Ebbw Vale on 71 points.
Speaking following the contest, defence coach Craig Everett said: “Really pleased for the boys to see that game out.
“We were under a lot of pressure, the latter parts of the second-half, they stuck to their systems. Two really good sets at the end, then 90 seconds to close it out, which was really good.
“In fairness to the boys, they worked hard; we had a couple of injuries, boys moved around, out of position, and they worked hard for each other.”
Story of the Game
On a dry but cloudy afternoon at the Talbot Athletic Ground, it was Keillen Cullen who got proceedings underway in the Blue and Blacks’ first league contest since beating Ebbw Vale in their last outing.
It was Dan Fish’s side who broke the deadlock, following his side’s pressuring the Wizards immediately from kick-off. From Wilde’s kick to the corner, and following a number of phases close to the hosts’ line, wing Goodchild, who scored a brace in the pair’s last outing in Aberavon, crossed for his ninth of the season.
Wilde converted the extras, as Cardiff led 7-0 after 14 minutes. The hosts then quickly responded minutes later, as outside-half Cullen added three points from the tee after the Blue and Blacks were penalised around the breakdown.
The Wizards were starting to grow into the contest after reducing the deficit, but were unable to capitalise on opportunities inside the visitors’ 22. Aberavon cleverly scored their opening try of the encounter, following a scrappy opening quarter.
Following a kick to the corner and a catch and drive, Ellis Horgan then chipped over the top of Cardiff’s defence as Felix Gilbert gathered to score. Cullen added the extras before the 30-minute mark, as the hosts led by three points.
Once again, a penalty kick to the corner proved to be the catalyst for the afternoon’s next score as it allowed Nicholls-Ngasseu to expertly power his way over following a dominant lineout drive. Wilde remained 100% from the tee as Cardiff went into a slender four-point lead.
That lead soon grew again before the break, as captain Hudd finished off a dominant attack from the visitors to score his first try of the season. Wilde again added the extras, which put Cardiff into a commanding position at half-time.
HT: Aberavon 10-21 Cardiff
With only a matter of minutes on the clock, the visitors found themselves a man down, as Ben Fry was shown a yellow card. Soon, the Wizards then punished with the extra man advantage.
Cullen scored in the corner for the hosts’ second of the afternoon following a scrum close to the Blue and Blacks’ whitewash. He brilliantly added the extras to reduce the deficit to four points.
Aberavon then almost scored moments later, but after some heroic defending by the visitors, Gwilym Evans was held up over the line. After showing a lot of strength in defence, the Blue and Blacks soon scored their fourth of the contest.
The Wizards were penalised and after a penalty kick into the corner, Nicholls-Ngasseu powered over to secure the visitors a bonus-point with just a few minutes left on the clock.
With Wilde replaced, Young kicked the extras to see Cardiff into a hard-fought 28-17 lead. However, it was not game, set, and match for the visitors, as for large parts of the closing exchanges, they found themselves on the back foot, defending for the majority.
Frankie Jones eventually scored the visitors’ third as Cullen calmly slotted the extras, which made it an intriguing ending.
It was an absolute nail-biter of a finish, with Cardiff brilliantly holding onto the ball after a turnover and managing to hold on to seal one of the toughest away wins of the season.
FT: Aberavon 24-28 Cardiff