Scirvens holds nerve for Cardiff victory

JOE Scirvens announced his arrival at the Arms Park with a touchline conversion that earned him hero status on his debut as Cardiff pipped Pontypridd 24-23.

It was a classic, full blooded derby and a classic game of two halves with which to kick off the new Indigo Group Premiership.

The Blue & Blacks hit the ground running with two tries in a blistering opening quarter, but Ponty somehow clawed their way back into things.

A training ground move saw skipper Dafydd Lockyer race to the posts for a try that Ben Jones converted and the 14-point deficit had been halved by the break.

Having recovered from those two early tries from Edd Howley and James Ratti, both converted by Gareth Thompson, they were all over the home side like a bad rash in the second half.

Jones kept on hitting the mark off the kicking tee - three penalties and a touchline conversion of N. 8 Morgan Sieniawski’s try while Gatt was in the sin-bin – and Cardiff were all at sea and trailing 23-17 going into the final 10 minutes.

But they somehow managed to stay in the fight and when they picked up a couple of penalties to gain a foothold in the Ponty 22 they remained patient and purposeful. Man of the match Benn Williams kept bringing his runners onto the ball and Howley eventually squeezed over in the left corner for his second try.

All that was left was for ex-Bedwas outside half Scirvens to do his stuff.

The Brewery Field saluted former Bridgend chairman Derrick King before the first match of the new season, but not even Owen Howe’s big boot could stop Aberavon from stealing victory with the last kick of an epic encounter, 27-26.

The Ravens roared into a 13 point lead thanks to two penalties and a conversion from Owen Howe and a try by wing Mike Powell. The Wizards fought back thanks to a debut try by Aled Thomas and five points from the boot of the former Scarlets man.

A penalty try to the home side just before the break gave them the advantage, but Sam Williams crashed over for the visitors two minutes after the break. Another Howe penalty kept the Ravens ahead until their scrum folded and the Wizards were awarded a penalty try to go one point clear. Then came the last gasp drama as Howe kicked a fourth penalty to edge the home side ahead only to see Thomas win the game with the final kick.