Alun Rees scored on his 100th appearance as Cardiff RFC recorded their first home win against Llandovery since October 2022.
Accompanying centurion Rees was Osian Darwin-Lewis, Tom Harper, Steffan Emanuel, and Tom Williams, who all crossed the whitewash, while Lloyd Lucas kicked 12 points from the tee as the Blue and Blacks recorded an impressive 37-28 victory.
Speaking after the match, Rees said: “It was just a great win to be fair.
“Obviously, it was a special day. To be fair to Fishy, got my family in and got some VT in before the game, which I didn’t expect, which was a nice little touch.
“So, really appreciate that. Unbelievable performance by the boys to top it off. We deserved what we got today to be honest, played really well.”
Story Of The Game
It was a fast-paced opening exchange, as the Blue and Blacks broke the deadlock seconds into the contest. Outside centre Darwin-Lewis scored the opening points of the afternoon, as Dan Fish’s side started the encounter on the front foot.
Moments later, after Lucas’ shot went wide, the visitors were next to score, just after three minutes. The Blue and Blacks were penalised inside their 22, and this led to Adam Warren scoring the Drovers’ first of four tries.
After Steffan-Jac Jones kicked into the corner, then following a knock on the Drovers were on the attack. But, following some strong defending by the hosts, they kept the visitors out on the 11-minute mark.
Captain Sean Moore was then yellow-carded with the visitors metres from the line. There was also an early replacement as Ben Fry was replaced by Lucas de la Rua.
Then, after a number of further penalties and resets around the scrum, the hosts regained possession and kicked to relieve pressure.
Despite cries of a forward pass from the Cardiff faithful, winger Aaron Warren crossed following the ball being spread wide.
Now back up to 15-men, following a brilliant kick into the corner by Lucas the hosts were metres out. After Moore took the ball at the lineout, Nathan Hudd then put the Blue and Blacks metres out.
Then, tighthead Harper powered over after a few phases from close range for his first try of the season. Lucas added the extras to put his side back in front prior to the half-hour mark.
Before halftime, Player of the Match Rees crossed from a catch and drive to score his 40th try for the club, following several penalties inside the visitors’ 22.
HT: Cardiff 22-14 Llandovery
With the rain coming down in torrents, Jones, minutes into the second half, had an opportunity to reduce the deficit for the visitors, but his shot went wide. Inside centre Warren was then shown the second yellow card of the encounter as Lucas kicked into the corner.
From the resulting catch and drive, Emanuel made a brilliant run to crossover in the corner for his first try of the season for the Blue and Blacks. After the hour mark, Lucas then slotted another three points from distance with the hosts going into an 18-point lead.
Replacement Kian Abraham scored the visitors’ third of the afternoon after regathering possession to score as the rain continued to fall. Scarlets’ Dan Gemine was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes after an infringement around the breakdown area.
Starting on the wing for the first time as a Blue and Black, Williams scored his first try of the season, and this came after a brilliant break by Matty Young.
Prior to the final whistle, despite the chase by debutant Ben Coomer, Tiaan Sparrow raced over for the visitors’ final score.
This proved insufficient as the Blue and Blacks made it a hat-trick of wins at the Cardiff Arms Park.
FT: Cardiff 37-28 Llandovery