INDIGO PREMIERSHIP REVIEW
CARDIFF tightened their grip on fourth spot in the Indigo Premiership as they overcame Swansea 38-33 in an 11-try thriller at the Arms Park – before it was announced head coach Steve Law will depart at the end of the season.
Law has steered the Blue & Blacks to a Premiership crown and two cup triumphs since taking over in 2018 and will hope to add a second Premiership title before he moves on.
“Steve has been instrumental in changing the fortunes of Cardiff RFC in the last few years,” said chairman Simon Down.
“He transformed the culture of the club. The results speak for themselves. His ability to integrate quality experienced semi-professional players with talented academy youngsters has produced a winning environment and aided in the development of future regional and international players.”
Cardiff remain on course for the play-offs again after coming from behind to see old rivals Swansea.
Wing Kodie Stone’s try after just two minutes gave Cardiff the perfect start but three tries in five minutes from the visitors saw them hit the front. Brandon Wood responded on 19 minutes before he then turned provider for fullback Harri Houston to score a second try, converted by Rhys Jones. No.8 Cai Davies soon added a third which again Jones improved as the visitors threatened to run riot, leading 19-5.
But back rower Craig Hudd’s try, converted by Arwel Robson, pulled the hosts back to within seven points at the break and three tries in a 20-minute period after the break through skipper Morgan Allen, centre Harrison James and scrum-half Joe Williams swung the match their way.
But Swansea weren’t finished with replacement Gareth J Rees scoring twice to secure them two bonus points, both converted by Jacob Symes, either side of a sixth Cardiff try scored by lock Sean Moore. Robson added his fourth conversion of the match.
With three matches to play, Cardiff occupy fourth spot and are six points clear of Pontypridd – who only have two to play – and 12 ahead of Pontypool, who still have five matches to play.
Four second-half tries saw Pontypridd recover from behind at the break to run out 30-16 over
Aberavon at Sardis Road to make it three wins out of three for interim head coach Chris Dicomidis.
Chris Banfield’s early try and eight points from the boot of James Davies, against two Ben Burnell penalties for the home side, saw Aberavon with their noses in front 13-6 at half time.
Davies kicked his third penalty after the break but the second half belonged to Pontypridd with Niko Matawalu, Josh Phillips, Ryan Wilkins and Ben Stephens securing maximum points. Burnell converted the Wilkins and Stephens tries.
Pontypool also took maximum points after overcoming 14-man Neath 40-24 in a fiery encounter at the Gnoll.
A breathless first half yielded three tries apiece, a red card for Neath prop Jack Powell and yellow cards for Pooler skipper Scott Matthews and centre Joel Mahoney.
Neath, who scored all of their points in the first half, led 24-21 at the break thanks to tries from centre Kieran Charles, No.8 Taine Morgan and wing Ryan Griffiths, all converted by full-back Steff Williams who also kicked a penalty.
Mahoney and Mike Herbert dotted down in the first half for Pooler – who were awarded a penalty try by referee Gareth Newman after 27 minutes after Neath were repeatedly pinged for infringements in the scrum. Things then got heated with Powell shown a red card as a result.
Mahoney, Marcus Jones and Sam Scarfe scored for Pooler in the second half. Matthew Jarvis converted five of their six tries.
Meanwhile cup finalists Merthyr, in seventh, are only a point further back and, with five to play, are not out of the play-off picture yet either. The Ironmen overcame Carmarthen Quins 36-34 in an 11-try ding-dong at the Wern.
Merthyr ran in six tries with wing Jack Kathrens at the double. Jack Perkins, Ethan Lloyd, Callum Bradbury and Josh Lewis also scored tries with the latter adding three conversions.
Elsewhere a late Iestyn Merriman try secured a 23-20 victory for Bridgend at RGC.
Edd Howley also scored for Bridgend with Jamin Hodgkins converting both tries along with three penalty goals.
Jordon Liney and Jessie Williams scored for RGC with Sam Earl-Jones kicking 10 points.