Cardiff RFC were miraculously crowned Super Rygbi Cymru regular season champions after a remarkable late twist, as the Blue and Blacks capitalised on Ebbw Vale’s extraordinary collapse from pole position.
With the regular season seemingly feeling like a forgone conclusion, the Steelmen, who seemed destined for the top spot, ran out costly stumbles in the closing fixtures, which opened the door for the Blue and Blacks to claim the regular season title for a second consecutive season.
After impressive victories on the road against Pontypool RFC and Llandovery RFC, it was no different against Swansea RFC, as Cardiff claimed a six-point bonus-point triumph at Broadacre, Dunvant RFC.
A brace from Rhys Cummings on his first start of 2026 was accompanied by scores from Ioan Emanuel, Alun Rees, Dewi Cross, and Jason Harries, securing a 36-19 victory against the Whites.
Speaking following the victory and claiming top spot, head coach Dan Fish said: “It’s great.
“We put a big emphasis on our performances week in week out, and the performances, especially over the last four, five weeks, have been outstanding.
“To finish at the top of the tree is always a great place to be. We’re delighted with that, finishing top.
“We know it’s a couple of big weeks ahead of us, but like I said, obviously delighted.”
Captain Craig Hudd added: “It was a marker we set at the start of the season, obviously to try and push for the top.
“We didn’t start the season great, but over the last few weeks, we picked up momentum.
“We came into this block of games, hoping just to get result, result, result, and give us a chance to win the (regular season).
“Today, it feels great to get that done.”
Story of the Game
On a cold and breezy afternoon at Broadacre, outside-half Harri Wilde, who surpassed 100 points from the tee on Saturday afternoon, got proceedings underway.
Almost instantly, the Blue and Blacks found themselves on the front foot. Following a series of penalties, loose-head Emanuel from close range powered his way over with Wilde adding the extras.
Cardiff then had further chances as the opening quarter progressed, but were unable to add to their early lead. Will Davies-King, who earned his club cap, was replaced by Tom Harper before the 20-minute mark.
Despite an interception from Ospreys’ Jack Hoskins close to the Swansea whitewash, the Blue and Blacks responded brightly as winger Cummings brilliantly crossed over for his first try of the season in the corner.
Minutes later, Cummings claimed his second of the contest after regathering possession, showing great footwork and speed to score. Wilde added the extras to put Cardiff into a commanding 19-point lead after 23 minutes.
Swansea then crossed the whitewash after 30 minutes, with hooker Jamie Cox scoring from a catch and drive as Mat Protheroe added the extras to reduce the deficit to 12 points.
However, following their opening score of the afternoon, the Whites found themselves down to 14-men as Ospreys’ Cam Jones was yellow carded.
With the extra-man advantage, former Swansea and Dunvant player, Rees, crossed for his thirteenth try of the season as Cardiff went in at the break with a healthy 17-point lead.
HT: Swansea 7-24 Cardiff
As the second half got underway, so began the scrolling and refreshing on the sidelines to see updates from Carmarthen Park, where at the time Ebbw Vale held a slender 3-point lead over Carmarthen Quins.
Now, back to proceedings at Broadacre, and the Blue and Blacks started the final 40 minutes strongly. Winger Cross, who has scored in Cardiff’s last two games, crossed over as the visitors’ lead grew even larger.
Then, prior to the hour mark, loose-head Jones scored for the hosts as Protheroe slotted the extras to bring Swansea back to within 15 points.
However, despite their second score of the contest, Cardiff scored their fifth shortly afterwards. Harries, who was starting for the first time since facing Carmarthen in the Cup, crossed as Wilde converted the extras.
Within a competitive closing exchange, Lewis Edwards scored for the hosts, but proved insufficient as Cardiff claimed their ninth straight Super Rygbi Cymru victory brilliantly, as the top of the regular season belongs to the Blue and Blacks.
FT: Swansea 19-36 Cardiff