Cardiff RFC suffered their first home defeat of the season to old rivals Newport RFC.
In the latest instalment of his historic derby, it was the Black and Ambers who were 27-20 victors at a cold and breezy Cardiff Arms Park. Tries from Ben Roach, Oli Andrew and Harri Ackerman with the boot of Player of the Match Jac Lloyd saw Newport claim their seventh win of the season as the Blue and Blacks remain in second.
It was the hosts that claimed the opening points of the encounter as after 15 minutes the visitors were penalised, and Harri Wilde, who last weekend played for Wales U20’s in Merthyr, slotted the three. Then with both teams sharing possession, the first try of the game came just five minutes later. Outside-half Jac Lloyd attempted to kick in behind but after a block he successfully regathered and offloaded to Newport’s captain Ben Roach to cross the whitewash. Lloyd then added the extras as the Black and Ambers went into a 7-3 lead.
Dan Fish’s men then responded quickly with a try of their own as Newport were penalised for not rolling away and Wilde kicked to touch. After a successful take at the lineout hooker, Alun Rees made a brilliant break and put the hosts metres out. With some pressure on the visitors defence, it was loose-head Marc Thomas who powered over for his second of the season. Wilde, on that occasion, was unable to add the extras as his shot deflected off the left upright.
Newport then regained the lead, as just after the half an hour mark, Oli Andrew showed some brilliant strength as he broke through the Blue and Blacks defence to crossover for the Black and Ambers second. Lloyd remained solid from the tee as he added the extras. Minutes later, Cardiff scored their second of the match and this came from continuous pressure. It was great vision from Harri Wilde who spread the ball quickly out wide for Joe Goodchild to crossover. This score also means that he has now scored 100 points for Cardiff RFC. Wilde had his shot deflect of the uprights yet again as Newport narrowly remained in front 14-13. Prior to halftime the hosts were then reduced to 14-men as Tom Harper was shown a yellow card. Then from the resulting penalty Jac Lloyd slotted another crucial three points in what was a tightly contested first half as Newport went in at the break 17-13 up.
HT: Cardiff 13-17 Newport
There was no messing about from the Blue and Blacks to begin the second half as within the opening exchanges fullback, Josh Thomas crossed over on just his third appearance for Cardiff. This came from a switch in the direction of the hosts attack, and it was Harri Wilde who yet again spread the ball quickly out wide for Thomas to cross in the corner.
Wilde brilliantly added the extras as the Blue and Blacks went back in front. Harri Ackerman was next to score for the visitors as he managed to power his way over for the visitors third of the game. Lloyd added the extras again as Newport went back into a four-point lead on 46-minutes. Jac Lloyd then added another three points after the Blue and Blacks were penalised around the breakdown area. Harri Wilde had an opportunity just inside the visitor’s half to reduce the deficit but had his shot fell short.
And it was the same story for his opposite number as the Blue and Blacks were again penalised around the breakdown but had his shot go wide. Cardiff with the clock nearly in the red had several opportunities inside the visitors 22 but with the Black and Ambers defence being on point there was no way through as Cardiff fell to just their third defeat of the season.
The pair will meet again next Saturday in Newport and the question will be repeat or revenge in the last game of the year for the Blue and Blacks.
FT: Cardiff 20-27 Newport