Issue 155

Swansea power too much for Cardiff

08th May 2007

Swansea scored 18 points in a comprehensive victory over Cardiff, a result sealed by a stunning try late in the second half to deny Cardiff any chance of victory.

Centre Jonathan Spratt delicately chipped the ball up over the rush defence and released the rest of the backline for a score just to the right of the posts, sealing Swansea's victory in a passionate and gruelling affair.

Current AU preisdent, Tim Stickely, had talked before the game in the match programme about the fierce rivalry between the two teams. This manifested itself in a game characterised by ill-discipline but it was Swansea who had the better play, and whose back line looked sharpest at the crucial point. Ultimately though it came down to a combination of the pack and the defence that won the game, Swansea forwards dominated at scrum time and carried the ball well all over the park sucking in defenders to leave spaces out wide for the two big centres, Spratt and Higgins to punch holes through.

Swansea started the game well and some early pressure in the scrums led to a Cardiff knock on and with the ball won from the resulting scrum Swansea crashed the ball up via their big back row. The early pressure told and Cardiff immediately gave a penalty away for diving in over the ball and off their feet in an attempt to slow play down. Adam Fotheringham handled the pressure well and slotted the kick over from outside the 22 - just the start that was needed to settle the nerves.

This seemed to only provoke Swansea who came back harder than before, and proved they were willing to try different options with a kick down the edge of the pitch rolling too far resulting in a 22 drop out. From this Swansea gathered the ball and pushed into the 22 only for a penalty to be reversed by the linesman who claimed to have spotted an elbow from a Swansea player at a ruck 20 metres back. To be penalised whilst on route to the Cardiff try line was typical throughout an error strewn match, the infringements in and around the ruck area proving costly to both sides.

However it was Cardiff who were first to infringe within range again as they were penalised after referee Philip Connett spotted hands in the ruck and they were duly punished, Fotherington adding another three points to bring Swansea to an unanswered six. Things then proceeded to turn from bad to worse for Cardiff as their no.8, Emyr James, was binned for repeatedly infringing at the contact area.

This only seemed to spur Cardiff on, and Cardiff's best attack of the first half came in this period.

However stern Swansea defence saw those in black and red go from side to side before eventually knocking on and handing possession over. This was true of the Swansea defence for the whole game, as Cardiff struggled to break through the line of defence and make any serious ground.

A series of penalties followed before the taunting raucous crowd were given something to savour. A neat little pass from Watkins saw Spratt make a break before slipping the ball to Higgins who made the best part of 50 metres before being hauled down, unfortunately he was isolated and the result was turnover ball, a sad end to a promising bit of play. But it allowed for the first change of the match with Tom Unwin coming on at scrum half just before the break to replace the injured scrumhalf Nicky Griffiths.

Whatever was said at half time seemed to fire the Swans as they roared out after the break and within three minutes they had scored in the left hand corner. Craig Voisey crashed the ball up the right hand side and the forwards continued to pick and go down the right, sucking defenders in. With the overlap created the ball was spun left for Higgins to crash over in the corner to the obvious delight of the entire team. Fotherington added another superb kick from out wide in front of the stand full of Cardiff support to take Swansea to a 0-13 lead.

The elation had to be suspended however as Cardiff chose to revamp their attack and started to push on. Cardiff pressure paid off early on as they won a penalty straight in front of the posts 35 metres out. The Swansea support cranked up the volume and Cardiff kicker, Jon Hill, sliced his kick horribly off to the right as the pressure of the situation told. However, five minutes later they were gifted another chance as Swansea infringed again. This time only 22 metres out and slightly off to the left.

The result was no different as the pressure told and the kick drifted to the right of the uprights.

Cardiff pressure continued and only a couple of simply incredible last ditch tackles from first Fotherington and secondly Luke Hopper stopped Cardiff crossing Swansea's line.

In spite of the pressure Swansea regained their composure and pushed back into the Cardiff half.

Then as Swansea rucked and mauled their way into Cardiff territory Tom Unwin released the back line, as Spratt collected the ball he put a deft chip over the heads of the oncoming defence. As he slipped through he collected the ball on the bounce and shifted it to Higgins who was in support. He stepped inside and held the defence before offloading to Lloyd- Jones who sprinted clear of the defence to touch the ball down to the right of the posts. Fotherington hooked the conversion just off to the left to give Swansea what was to prove an unassailable lead.

The green and white pack then proceeded to shut down the opposition and closed the game out with a combination of good work in the tight and in scrummage.

Ultimately they proved too strong for Cardiff who were deflated after Swansea's second try.

Swansea could have scored again but handling mistakes let them down.

It was of little consequence though as Swansea crashed to what was in the end a comprehensive victory. Y.C. Sports man of the match, Craig Voisey, said afterwards that the combination of "a strong pack and bench" being important to the success of the team and coach John Bladen added that it was "a fine finish to a fantastic season, the commitment from the boys has been absolutely superb and the result here is due to the spirit throughout the squad".

Captain Rich Watkins said that the whole day had been "brilliant, and was relieved that everything had gone to plan." He also praised the Swansea supporters who were in Cardiff Arms Park for the game, "all we could hear on the pitch was Swansea, we couldn't hear anything from the Cardiff supporters at all. I want to thank everyone that came, the noise they made was amazing."

When asked about his own game Rich said, "I had a pretty quiet game really, but didn't make any major mistakes, which is always good. Nobody on our team had a bad game really, which makes it easier for a good team performance." Watkins made special mention of Craig Voisey and Jonathan Spratt who both had outstanding games and Fotheringham for his kicking, but mentioned of Tom Unwin, "Tom came into the game when Nicky got injured and bossed the game well. He had one of the best games I've seen him play."

Rich also wanted to give a special thank you to Richard Lancaster and James Kerr, for all the help not just for Varsity but the whole season. Overall it was an outstanding result for Swansea and a memorable day for all those involved, winning was the important thing but Swansea did it in style and can be immeasurably proud of their achievements.

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