Issue 152

Swansea make their point

12th February 2007

Despite their underdog status, Swansea beat Cardiff 2nd's in a dramatic but low scoring game to grind their way up the table and leave them in good stead for the rest of the season.

A penalty midway through the second half by Swansea's fullback saw Swansea recapture their lead and dogged determination and brute force in the form of bone shattering tackles from all of Swansea's players allowed them to fend off Cardiff to claim valuable points in their quest for league glory this season.

Swansea started by far the better of the two sides and early pressure saw them win a line out deep in Cardiff territory. Continued pressure forced a penalty which was duly converted to create a 3- 0 lead.

Swansea pressurised Cardiff most notably in the scrum where they were torn to pieces every time. The result was the entire first half was spent around Cardiff's 22.

Despite this dominance Swansea could not muster any more points, missing both a penalty and a drop goal, thus maintaining their 3-0 lead into the break. It seemed as though too much possession was kicked away in the first half and the lack of ball in hand prevented the possibility of crossing the try line.

The half time team talk for Cardiff seemed to do the trick as they came out firing in the second half. Cardiff's centres seemed to have no answer to the physicality of the Swansea midfield. But the first and only time they broke the line, and the only tackles Swansea missed all game, they scored in the corner.

Not to be disheartened Swansea hit back immediately and reestablished their dominance in the set piece. Prop Jack Short came on to add another dimension to the physicality of the game with some big hits all over the park. His work was typical of Swansea's work ethic and the pressure they put Cardiff under.

Captain Tom Cooper, whose leadership set the tone for an important victory, was ecstatic with the result and promised more of the same next week as Swansea thirds square up to Swansea 2nds.

The last time these two met it was 6-6 in a tight encounter and with this performance under the belt Swansea will be looking to record what would be a famous win.

Stuart Phillips