Swansea’s Cup, but Cardiff take the Shield

SWANSEA University wrestled the Welsh Varsity Cup back from Cardiff as the university event made a triumphant return after a two-year hiatus.

The highlight of the Welsh student sporting calendar was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but was back and better than ever yesterday as thousands of students descended on Swansea.

While Cardiff claimed the overall Varsity Shield for the fourth year in a row, Swansea came out on top in the day’s showpiece rugby finale, with the men’s side winning the cup 20-13 and shaking off the 78-7 defeat they suffered in 2019 after being forced to effectively field a second string side due to a fixture clash.

Cardiff skipper Marcus Ramage proved a threat early on, and nearly opened the scoring after quarter of an hour only to be thwarted by some exceptional Swansea defending.

Assured goal kicking from Ed Dunford and Gwyn Parks meant the scores stayed level at 3-3 for most of the first half, but Swansea kept knocking on the door and got their just rewards shortly after the 30-minute mark as Benji Williams crossed for the opener off the back of a lineout.

It was Ramage who got the visitors’ first try of the game after fantastic recovery work from Rhydian Williams set the captain free on the right wing.

Swansea snuck ahead shortly before half-time courtesy of Parks’ trusty boot.

But while the visitors looked the liveliest, the home side were roared on by a sea of green and replacement Harry Williams dived over to spark wild celebrations with 15 minutes left to play.

With time running out, Cardiff threw everything they had at the Swansea defence, with Ramage, Josh Thomas and James Roberts all trying to break through, but the hosts held on with some assured defensive work.

Dunford, clutching his hamstring for much of the second half, fought to stay on and reduced the deficit to seven as he slotted a drop goal with five minutes left on the clock.

And there was to be more late drama as George Shaw got the ball over the whitewash, only for it to be held up.

There was more luck for Cardiff’s women’s side, who blew Swansea away with a sensational ten-try victory. Ellie Morgan, Ffion Revill and hat-trick hero Karolina Thomas shone for the visitors in a comprehensive 56-13 win.

Swansea also claimed victories in the men’s fencing, golf, squash, ultimate frisbee and fresher rugby, but it wasn’t enough to take the shield from Cardiff, who won 28-15 overall after coming out on top in American Football, hockey, tennis and netball.