Speedster Tom Bowen repeated what he did on his Blue and Blacks debut, scoring another hat-trick in sensational fashion at St Helen’s as Cardiff moved back to pole position in the SRC after a win over Swansea RFC. Ethan Lloyd scored the first try for the Blue and Blacks with both Steffan Emanuel and Benji Williams also crossing as Dan Fish’s men won their fourth game of the season.

It took the hosts just three minutes to break the deadlock after the Blue and Blacks were penalised for holding on, fullback Josh Phillips kicking the three points to put the hosts into an early lead. From the restart, Swansea knocked the ball on but won a penalty at the resulting scrum and cleared up-field.

A brilliant break from winger, Dewi Cross put the Blue and Blacks on the attack and forced a penalty from All Whites defenders. After kicking to the corner an unsuccessful take at the line-out followed allowing Swansea to win possession and kick to relieve pressure.

Luke Davies took the ball inside his own half and put in a pin-point 50-22 kick. A number of phases followed from the lineout before the scrum-half crossed for the hosts first try of the afternoon after 17 minutes.

Losing 10-0 at the end of the first quarter, Cardiff needed things to change. Their first try came after a turnover at the line-out. Benji Williams broke through to put the visitors in a good attacking position. After some brilliant handling skills in the backline Steffan Emanuel drew the last defender and offloaded for Ethan Lloyd to canter in for his first try of the season, Harri Wilde converted.

Things almost got even better for the Blue and Blacks on their next visit to the hosts 22. A cross field kick from Harri Wilde was well taken by Dewi Cross. The Swansea defence brought down the flying winger, who seemed to regain his feet and force his way over in the corner. After consultation between the referee and his assistant Cross was penalised for a double movement.

Cardiff’s soon took the lead, however, when with their next attacking opportunity fullback, Matty Young kicked across field for Elijah Evans to gather. The outside-centre was able to pass inside for Tom Bowen. The youngster managed to hold onto the pass (with a combination of hand and thigh) and showed his pace as he crossed over for his fourth try of the season. Once again Harri Wilde was successful with the conversion.

As half time approached the All Whites attacked when Cardiff were penalised for not rolling away at the breakdown. The ball was kicked into the corner, however, a crooked throw gave Cardiff a scrum and then a penalty enabling the pressure to be relieved.

HT: Swansea 10-14 Cardiff

Swansea were out of the blocks quickly at the start of the second half and within three minutes they were back in-front. Cardiff conceded numerous penalties in their own 22 and finally Luca Giannini was able to power his way over for The All Whites second try of the afternoon. Giannini quickly claimed his second after breaking through the Blue and Blacks defence minutes later, as Swansea continued to belie their lowly league position.

Cardiff got themselves back into the game as Harri Wilde kicked to the corner when Swansea gave away a penalty at the restart. The ball was won from the lineout and spread wide where Wilde was able to send a flat pass to Tom Bowen who scored in the corner. With almost three quarters of the game gone Cardiff scored again as Bowen turned creator. An excellent break by the young wing allowed him to offload to Benji Williams for the No 8 to secure the bonus point try.

Steffan Emanuel was next on the score sheet, intercepting a Swansea passing movement just outside his own 22 and he showed his speed as he outpaced the chasing defenders to cross under the posts. Harri Wilde added the extras to put Cardiff into a nine point lead going into the final quarter.

Things got worse for Swansea a few minutes later when replacement scrum-half Aron Hemmings was yellow carded when he deliberately knocked the ball on. With the one man advantage, Tom Bowen again showed his quality on the outside and scored his third of the match and sixth of the season.

As Hemmings returned from the sin-bin Dewi Cross was making the trip the other way after he incurred the wrath of the referee. It was now Swansea’s turn to take advantage of having the extra man. Outside-half Harri Houston kicked behind the Cardiff defence for replacement Brandon Wood to gather and score to secure The All Whites a bonus point for scoring four tries.

FT: Swansea 29-38 Cardiff