Cardiff RFC 29 v 35 Whites

29 Aug 2009 - Cardiff Arms Park

Prior to the kick off there was a minutes silence for 2 former greats of the clubs, Bleddyn Williams and Haydn Tanner, who passed away in the close season.

Swansea’s team included flankers David Blyth and captain Sam Kiley in the 2nd row, as had occurred in last Saturday’s pre season friendly against Nuneaton. Flanker Luke Jones made his Swansea debut, having joined in the summer from Llanelli.

Cardiff exerted all of the early pressure keeping Swansea in their own 22. Their efforts were rewarded after 7 minutes when outside half Gareth Davies slotted over a penalty goal.

Swansea quickly went on the attack following the restart and Leigh Bevan was forced into touch a couple of metres from the try line. Swansea gained a penalty soon after and James Dixon slotted it over from 20 metres to level the scores. On 12 minutes, debutant Luke Jones won a line out on the Cardiff 22 metre line and follwing a brief passage of play Dixon dropped a goal from 30 metres.

On 18 minutes Cardiff kicked ahead from their own half and they picked up the loose ball to send centre Shaun James over in the left hand corner. Gareth Davies was successful with his touchline conversion.

Cardiff’s lead was extended on 27 minutes when Swansea were penalised with the ball on the floor and Davies kicked the resultant penalty from 35 metres.

A couple of minutes later and Swansea were back in contention when Nicky Thomas made a run from his own half to cross for a try in the right hand corner.

On 34 minutes Swansea were penalised for offside in front of the posts for another Davies penalty. A further Davies penalty followed on 40 minutes that was the last score of the 1st half.

Half time : Cardiff 19 Swansea 11

Cardiff’s lead was further extended on 52 minutes when Gareth Davies slotted over a 22 metre penalty, his 5th of the game.

Following a sustained period of Swansea pressure, substitute prop Ross Davies crossed over for a try in the right hand corner on his club debut. Dixon claimed an excellent conversion to bring Swansea back into the fray on 63 minutes.

Three minutes later Cardiff secured possession in open play and Gareth Davies went over for a try that he duly converted, which was to prove to be Cardiff’s final points.

From the restart Swansea maintained pressure and Nicky Thomas went over for his 2nd try on 68 minutes that Dixon converted.

Further Swansea pressure resulted in a penalty, 5 metres from the Cardiff line. Quick thinking by substitute wing Nicky Jones, on his return to the club after a season’s spell at Llanelli, saw him barge over in typical fashion for a critical (and bonus point) try to secure the lead. Dixon added the conversion on 76 minutes.

On 80 minutes, Cardiff were penalised for offside and from 32 metres out Dixon was successful with the penalty and the opening day bonus point victory was secured over last season’s Premiership champions.

Full time : Cardiff 29 Swansea 35

Team details :
15 Nicky Thomas (2T)
14 Rhys Jones (Nicky Jones) (T)
13 Chris Shelmerdine
12 David Watts
11 Leigh Bevan
10 James Dixon (2P, D, 3C)
9 Rhodri wells
1 Lee May (Roy Jones)
2 Andrew Joy (Scott Baldwin)
3 Andrew Clatworthy (Ross Davies) (T)
4 David Blyth (Huw Alford)
5 Sam Kiley ©
6 Luke Jones
7 Peter de Snyder
8 Marc Popham

Match referee : Tim Hayes

Bleddyn Hopkins