Cardiff set for a final push

CARDIFF can go top of the Indigo Group Premiership this week if they pick up a bonus-point win when they host Pontypridd on Thursday.

Just as it seemed Newport had two hands on the trophy, they lost backto-back games to RGC and Merthyr to open the door for Steve Law’s men. Cardiff went to Swansea knowing that three bonus-point wins would deliver them the title and they delivered at St Helen’s.

Having lost four times to Newport for the first time this season, pipping them to the title would be sweet revenge.

Now they have to deliver against arch-rivals Ponty in front of the S4C cameras this week and then look to end the season on the highest of highs against Merthyr at the Arms Park on April 28. Newport have one game to play at Carmarthen Quins on April 30.

An Ospreys-enhanced Swansea side pushed Cardiff all the way at St Helen’s and hit back from an early eight-point deficit to lead 13-8 in the first half.

The visitors got off to a flying start with the first of their required four tries coming from Wales U20 fullback Cam Winnett.

Luke Scully couldn’t add the extras, but then landed a penalty to make it 8-0. Then came the Whites’ purple patch with an Evans penalty and conversion of a clever try from flanker Callum Bowden.

Harri Millard ran in a try before the break for the Blue & Blacks and Scully’s conversion gave them a 15-13 interval lead. They needed two more tries after the break and got them via hooker Alun Rees and back-row man Nathan Hudd, the latter converted by Dan Fish.

Swansea grabbed a consolation try at the death from Tom Florence, which Evans converted, but it was too little, too late.

Swansea — Tries: C Bowden, T Florence. Cons: C Evans (2). Pens: C Evans (2).

Cardiff — Tries: C Winnett, H Millard, A Rees, N Hudd. Cons: L Scully, D Fish. Pen: L Scully.