Cardiff edge Dragons 22-19 in Boxing Day thriller
Josh Adams was one of the try scorer for Cardiff
©Steve Haag
Cardiff Rugby 22-19 Dragons, Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Rugby extended their dominance over Dragons RFC with a tense 22-19 victory at a sold-out Arms Park, recording a 22nd successive league win over their regional rivals and moving up to second place in the URC table.
Played in front of 12,125 supporters on Boxing Day, the contest went deep into stoppage time and tested Cardiff’s resolve, especially after they were reduced to 14 men late on. Despite the pressure, the hosts held firm to secure a hard-earned win.
The Dragons made a confident start and opened the scoring after seven minutes. Following a handling error from Mason Grady, Fine Inisi broke down the touchline before Rio Dyer delivered a clever offload for scrum-half Che Hope to score.
Cardiff responded through a tap penalty, with tighthead prop Javan Sebastian stretching over after a series of strong carries. The hosts then moved ahead when flanker Alex Mann finished a sustained attack, but Dragons struck back before the break.
A well-weighted grubber from Tinus de Beer set up Dyer, who again assisted Hope to level the scores at 12-12 at half-time.
Cardiff started the second half with intent and regained the lead through Josh Adams. After powerful carries from Grady and Taulupe Faletau, slick midfield handling sent Adams over in the corner, with Callum Sheedy converting from wide out. Continued Cardiff pressure drew penalties and resulted in a yellow card for Dragons replacement Harrison Keddie.
Sheedy added a penalty to stretch the lead, but the drama was far from over. In the closing moments, Dragons were awarded a penalty try after a quick tap from De Beer, with Josh McInally shown a yellow card, reducing Cardiff to 14 men.
Seven minutes of stoppage time followed, but Cardiff’s defence stood tall, with Dan Thomas winning a crucial turnover to seal the win.
Team line up
Cardiff: Winnett; Adams, Millard, B Thomas, Grady; Sheedy, A Davies; Barratt, Belcher (capt), Sebastian, McNally, Thornton, Mann, D Thomas, Faletau.
Reserves: E Lloyd, Southworth, S Wainwright, Nott, Lawrence, Botham, Mulder, Beetham.
Dragons: O'Brien (co-capt); Anderson, Inisi, Owen, Dyer; De Beer, Hope; Martinez, Roberts, Hunt, Douglas, Carter (co-capt), Woodman, Young, Wainwright.
Reserves: Scarfe, W Jones, Dlamini, Screech, Keddie, Lewis-Hughes, R Williams, Richards.
