All Whites clash stirs memories for Cardiff

THEY may be sitting on top of the Indigo Group Premiership after the opening two rounds, but Cardiff won’t be taking anything for granted when they host Swansea at the Arms Park this weekend.

Head coach Steve Law still remembers the feeling of losing to the Whites at St Helen’s last season in a crucial fixture. The 20-17 defeat on April 13 brought to an end an unbeaten run of 14 matches for the Blue & Blacks.

More significantly, it was probably the result that heralded the end of their chances of completing a league and cup double, handing Merthyr extra breathing space in the race to the Premiership crown.

“That defeat in Swansea was hugely costly for us and was the performance and result that did for our chances of winning the league. It was a bad day at the office for us,” admitted Law.

“We haven’t mentioned that game in the build-up to this weekend, but it might get a little mention on the day. Right now it is all about getting the players back focussing on what we need to do to keep on improving.

“It hasn’t been ideal having a three-week break, but we all understand the reasons why. I just hope that the small amount of momentum we had built up in our opening three matches hasn’t been totally lost.”

Swansea notched a big win over arch-rivals Llanelli, 33-5, last time out and will travel with confidence despite not having won on the road since March 30 at Carmarthen.

There are three other unbeaten teams other than Cardiff, with two of them clashing at the Talbot Athletic Ground. Aberavon are two from two, while Newport won their only fixture before the Celtic Cup break.

Llandovery beat RGC 1404 29-20 in a thrilling game at Church Bank in their only fixture to date and will be hoping they can stand up to the ferocity of the Ebbw Vale pack when they travel to Eugene Cross Park.

The game of the day could well be at Parc Eirias, in Colwyn Bay, where Matt Silva’s side host ontypridd. The Gogs got off to a rip-roaring start with a home win over reigning champions Merthyr, but were then pipped at Llandovery in their next game.

In the other matches, Carmarthen Quins host Llanelli in the Scarlets regional derby clash and Bridgend welcome Merthyr.