Issue 155

Rugby run ragged

08th May 2007

Cardiff 61 - Swansea 5

Swansea women's rugby were well beaten by an impressive Cardiff team, yet to their credit the players never gave up and kept battling to the end. The 61 - 5 score line underlines Cardiff's dominance in the women's rugby, but nevertheless the game was tightly fought for large periods and Swansea made them work for every point.

The match got off to a scrappy start with both sides giving away possession too easily - but it was Cardiff who settled first, and some neat switch passing in the centre of the park opened up a gap for full back Nicola Thomas to score in the corner. From then on Cardiff pressure was consistent but Swansea held up well, with a jinking run from pacey fly-half Emily Neate briefly getting them into the opposition half.

Swansea conceded again on twenty minutes after failing to clear their lines from a penalty kick. They were driven back by some strong running by the Cardiff forwards culminating in a powerful surge over the line by number eight Becky Blakeway. Cardiff then ran in a further three tries, all unconverted, to leave the halftime score at 30-0. Swansea came out strong in the second half with the direct running of Siwan Lillicrap inspiring the team.

This renewed vigour was soon worn down by the unrelenting Cardiff attacks, their pressing flustered Swansea and forced them to let in a sloppy try. Then came a hat-trick of well executed tries from Kat Lennon. Kat was excellent all day, pairing up with captain Simone Shepherd in mid-field to control the game - the duos swift passing and strong running sparked most of the Cardiff attacks and proved too much for Swansea to handle.

The Swansea women improved on last years result by successfully breaching the Cardiff defence to score a late try.

Number eight Siwan Lillicrap intercepted a pass and, with some excellent support play, broke the length of the field, to be bought down yards from the line. In the ensuing melee Cardiff conceded a free kick allowing Swansea to form a ruck from the base of which scrum-half Hollie Davies was able to dart over the line, prompting huge cheers from the Swansea support.

After the game Swansea captain Aimee Jones announced she was 'very proud of her team' particularly the way 'all the freshers had stepped up and performed,' feeling the try reflected the team's improvement from last year.

Cardiff captain Simone Shepherd was rightly delighted with her players' performances and, after downing a bottle of Champagne, also praised the Swansea's effort.

Jack Yuille