Two second half tries by Alun Rees was accompanied by a penalty try and a Joe Goodchild score as Cardiff picked up their first SRC Cup win in the sunshine of the Arms Park.

It was Aberavon who got proceedings underway as Ed Dunford kicked off. With the conditions perfect for running rugby it was the Blue and Blacks who broke the deadlock. After showing some great footwork outside centre, Osian Darwin-Lewis who was playing his tenth game for Cardiff offloaded to Dewi Cross who showed his pace and kicked up field. It was fullback, Joe Goodchild who successfully regathered as he crossed over for his sixth of the season. Josh Thomas had his shot go wide as the Blue and Blacks after 10 minutes were 5-0 up.

The Wizards minutes later then scored their opening points of the afternoon after, Ellis Lewis went down the blindside from the breakdown as he crossed over in the corner. Ed Dunford then slotted the extras as the visitors went into the lead. Dunford was then sent off for ten minutes after a deliberate knock on. Jason Harries attempted to pass back on the inside to blindside, Gwilym Bradley but the outside half deliberately knocked the ball on. Then referee, Rhys Jones awarded the hosts a penalty try as the Blue and Blacks went back into the lead just after the conclusion of the opening quarter.

After being awarded a penalty metres from the Blue and Blacks line, the visitors opted for the scrum. Then after some brilliant handling skills winger, Cori Lewis-Jenkins crossed over which meant proceedings were level going in at the break.

HT: Cardiff 12-12 Aberavon

It didn’t take the visitors long to regain the lead, as with not even a minute played Ellis Lewis crossed over for his second. This came after breaking away from the breakdown area to score. His counterpart in the halfbacks, Ed Dunford was unable to add the extras as the visitors went into a five point lead.

However, the hosts responded accordingly as after back-to-back penalties they found themselves metres away from the Aberavon line moments later. Then after a successful take at the lineout a powerful driving maul followed and on his 90th appearance as a Blue and Black, Alun Rees crossed over for his tenth of the season. Josh Thomas added the extras as Cardiff regained the lead.

The hosts were then reduced to 14-men after Mackenzie Martin was sent off for ten minutes after an infringement in the Blue and Blacks 22. From the resulting penalty kick into the corner a catch and drive followed and replacement, Ellis Major scored the visitors third.

That lead didn’t last long however for Aberavon as on 59 minutes, Alun Rees claimed his second of the afternoon. This came from another brilliant driving maul which allowed the hooker to cross. Josh Thomas had his shot go wide, which meant proceedings were level going into the final quarter.

With Cardiff back up to 15-men it was the visitors who were then awarded their second yellow card of the encounter. This time around James Clegg was sent off for ten minutes with the Blue and Blacks metres from the visitors whitewash.

The decisive moment in the contest happened with minutes left on the clock. After a brilliant pass from Josh Thomas, allowed Fraser Jones to score the winner and also his first try of the season as Cardiff ended their SRC Cup campaign with a 31-24 win over Aberavon.

FT: Cardiff 31-24 Aberavon

Up next for Cardiff is a trip to Church Bank as they return back to Super Rygbi Cymru league action against Llandovery. Supporters are also advised that there is a free supporters bus that will leave the Cardiff Arms Park at 11am next Saturday and will return from Llandovery at 5pm.