PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP WHITES BURY JINX TO EASE DROP FEARS
CARDIFF’S impressive league form continued as they came from behind to clinch a bonuspoint victory at Newport.
The two sides shared 10 tries, but after trailing 17-7 at the turnaround it was a clinical edge that won the game for the visitors.
“It was difficult in the first half,” said Cardiff head coach Steve Law. “It was a little bit more competitive and a bit more open in the second half. We had more territory and we were a little bit more clinical.”
The Black and Ambers got off to a dream start when Elliot Frewen bagged his 10th try of the season.
Cardiff hit back through Gareth Thompson, who touched down and added the conversion. The hosts then started to pull away, with Matthew Reed and David Richards on the scoresheet.
Law’s men got the first score after the break, with Martin Roberts crossing and Thompson adding the conversion. That saw the momentum shift to Cardiff and in a matter of minutes Morgan Allen went over to give the visitors the lead for the first time.
A Matt O’Brien penalty threatened to haul Newport back into the game but a second converted Roberts try edged Cardiff further ahead.
Will Evans closed the deficit again with a well-worked try, but a Thompson penalty and a converted try for Allen sealed the win for the Blue and Blacks.
Newport bagged a losing bonus point thanks to Chris Williams.
Law added: “The boys reacted well, they scored at the right times but it was a game that could have gone either way.”
– Tries: E Frewen, M Reed, D Richards, W Evans, C Williams. Cons: M O’Brien (2). Pen: M O’Brien.
– Try: G Thompson, M Roberts (2), M Allen (2). Cons: G Thompson (4), S Jones. Pen: G Thompson. Ben Cambriani set up a Whites attack and R Rhys Williams was on hand to slide over for a try.
On the stroke of half-time Jamie Murphy was tackled off the ball on halfway as he chased down a grubber kick and Evans kicked his side into the lead.
Swansea retook the lead in spectacular fashion when quick ball out to the backs saw R Rhys Williams race in at a devastating angle to score under the posts, but Evans replied with a long-range penalty.
A third home try soon followed when Aubrey got quick ball out wide for Cambriani to score and Josh Thomas sealed victory with a late penalty.
Bridgend head coach Matt Silva said: “I was surprised that Swansea didn’t go for the bonus point as they had been kicking to the corner all game, but they were good value for the win, looked like scoring tries and beat us in the contact areas and setpiece.
“We are really disappointed as we were in the game midway through the second half and were looking at a losing bonus point in the closing stages, but we carelessly gave away a late penalty underneath the sticks
“It was a tough encounter as Swansea are much improved recently with their influx of Ospreys Academy players, which has catapulted them up the league.”