Cardiff take Drovers’ unbeaten record - just
DEWI Cross is certainly making up for lost time this season after being forced to wait until October to start his season at Cardiff because of a broken foot.
Five tries in his last two outings have helped last season’s Indigo Premiership champions pick up 10 points and stretch their unbeaten record to six matches to stay on the coat tails of league leaders Aberavon.
In the battle of two more unbeaten teams at the Arms Park it was Cardiff who held on by the skin of their teeth to rob Llandovery of their 100 per cent record, with a brace of tries from Cross proving crucial.
“It was a case of two good teams going at it in a top-of-the-table clash and we were just a bit more clinical. They were camped on our line for the last five minutes and I thought it was never going to end,” said Cross.
“The forwards stuck at it, and we got that turn over in the end. It was an important win for us because the Premiership is getting stronger and is very competitive.
“I’m enjoying my rugby, playing with a smile on my face and loving it. I broke my foot and didn’t play the start of October and now I’m back to full strength.”
The lead changed several times, but some dramatic defence at the death from the home side proved to be the difference as Steve Law’s Blue & Blacks just did enough to win.
Cardiff tried to impose their maul game upon the visitors in a scrappy start t the game but the Drovers weathered the early storm and hit back with a well-worked try from Rhodri Wall.
Dan Fish replied with a penalty for the home side and the first of wing Dewi Cross’s two tries converted some serious pressure into more points for Cardiff as they hit the front for the first time. But Llandovery soon retook the lead with a penalty try.
Cardiff were reduced to 14 men after conceding the penalty try as flanker Olly Robinson was given his marching orders for his role in the lead up. It meant Llandovery were able to go into the break with their heads held high, and their noses just out in front, 12-10.
The home side immediately hit back after the break. Following some patient phase play, Cardiff were able to work an overlap to send in Cross for his second try of the afternoon.
The visitors slowly got themselves back in the game and Stuart Worrall rumbled over the line to put the Drovers back in front. Tries from Alun Rees and Joe Goodchild then put Cardiff in a commanding position with 10 minutes to go.
“It is absolutely gutting because we were in it for most of the game. We were unlucky not to capitalise on a couple of driving mauls in the end,” said Worrall.
“I very rarely score so I’m pretty chuffed about that. It was a massively physical game and it means we’ve now suffered two narrow losses, but that’s nothing for us to worry about. We didn’t turn up against Merthyr and we could have nicked this one.
“On our day we can beat anyone and we just need to get back and have another win. We’ve got a brilliant squad this season.”
Llandovery threatened a come back with a late try from Ricky Guest, but Cardiff held on to seal the win.
Cardiff – Tries: D Cross (2), J Goodchild, A Rees. Cons: D Fish (3). Pen: D Fish.
Llandovery – Tries: R Wall, pen try, S Worrall, R Guest. Cons: J Maynard (2).