Cardiff RFC ran out 35-17 winners at the Lextan Gnoll as they put aside an inspired Neath team.
The Blue and Blacks travelled back to Neath for the first time since 2018 for the latest round of fixtures in the Indigo Premiership. It was a quick start for the visitors as just after the five-minute mark, Joe Goodchild had touched down in the corner for his third try of the season. The build-up play to the try was the main talking point as after nicely playing it through the hands of the backline, Jacob Lloyd quickly offloaded between his legs for Goodchild to have a picturesque finish in the corner.
Both sides had numerous opportunities as the first half went on but could not capitalise on some good attacking phases. There was an early change for The Blue and Blacks as newly signed Tom Rice went off injured. He was replaced by Ioan Pascoe, who finished the first half with numerous turnovers that relieved pressure from the home side’s attack. The Welsh All Blacks had an opportunity to pick up their first points of the afternoon as Cardiff were penalised at the scrum. Kristian Jones’s shot deflected off the woodwork as Cardiff went in at half-time with a seven-point lead.
HT: Neath 0-7 Cardiff
After missing in the first half, flyhalf Kristian Jones scored the afternoon’s first points for the home side after referee Steff Edwards awarded them a penalty. Cam TylerGrocott capped his first start for The Blue and Blacks with a memorable try as he sprinted through Neath’s defence to score the visitor’s second of the afternoon.
However, momentum seemed to be in The Welsh All Blacks favour as they searched for their first try of the afternoon. The Blue and Blacks were again penalised at the scrum and after kicking to the corner, a strong driving maul followed and Sion Crocker touched down to bring Neath back in contention. Replacement, Tom Habberfield took it quickly from the ruck, found a gap in Neath’s defence and dived over to score. The 31-year-old has now scored 50 points in a Blue and Black shirt.
It was an eventful last ten minutes,referee Steff Edwards awarded The Welsh All Blacks a penalty try after he deemed that Cardiff deliberately brought the maul down. Subsequently, Craig Hudd was sent to the sin bin for bringing the maul down. Five minutes later, Cardiff went hunting for a bonus point try and with Luke Pollock down injured, it meant The Blue and Blacks were attacking with 13 men. After quickly moving the ball out wide, Lewis Evans deliberately knocked the ball on, and referee Edwards awarded a penalty try and a yellow card to Neath’s fullback.
With the bonus point secured, the visitors still put pressure on a wounded Neath defence. With the clock in the red, Arwel Robson managed to sneak his way through the defence to cross for his second try for The Blue and Blacks. After converting the extras it meant Robson finished with five out of five from the tee.