Match Centre: United Rugby Championship: Cardiff 13-13 Dragons

Cardiff 13-13 Dragons, Cardiff Arms Park

In a gripping New Year’s Day derby, Cardiff and Ospreys shared the spoils in a dramatic 13-13 draw at a sold-out Arms Park.

The fiercely contested United Rugby Championship clash, attended by 12,125 passionate fans, saw red and yellow cards, determined defensive stands, and nail-biting final moments.

Despite taking the try count 2-1, Cardiff couldn’t clinch the win as Ospreys’ Player of the Match Dan Edwards delivered a stellar performance, scoring a try and three penalties to secure all points for his side.

Cardiff set the tone early, showcasing innovative play at the lineout. Hooker Evan Lloyd capitalized on a patient maul to touch down in the seventh minute, with Ben Thomas orchestrating the attack. Cardiff’s defensive resilience shone through as they thwarted multiple Ospreys’ opportunities in a tightly contested first half.

The Ospreys struggled to convert early pressure into points, with Morgan Morris and Max Nagy both denied tries by Cardiff’s committed defence.

Fly-half Dan Edwards eventually opened their account with a penalty before second-row James Fender received a red card for a dangerous ruck clear-out, leaving the visitors down to 14 men just before halftime.

Despite being a man down, the Ospreys struck back in the second half as Edwards sliced through Cardiff’s defence for a try, converting it himself to edge his team ahead.

Cardiff responded through their powerful lineout maul, with replacement hooker Daf Hughes driving over to reclaim the lead.

A yellow card for Rhys Litterick handed the advantage back to the Ospreys, and Edwards added another penalty to put his side back in front. However, Cardiff’s skipper Ben Thomas leveled the scores with a late penalty straight from the restart.

The closing stages were filled with drama as Cardiff’s defence held firm against relentless Ospreys’ attacks. Lewis Lloyd was forced into touch by a try-saving tackle from Hughes, while Morgan Morse was held up over the line in the dying seconds.

Cardiff made one final attempt to run from deep in the last play, but both sides ultimately settled for two points each in a thrilling conclusion.

The result sees Cardiff solidify their third spot in the URC table with 28 points, while the Ospreys take pride in their resilience in a fiercely contested encounter.

Team line up:

Cardiff: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Louie Hennessey, Ben Thomas (capt), Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Callum Sheedy, Ellis Bevan; Danny Southworth, Evan Lloyd, Kieron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence.

Reserves: Daf Hughes, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Josh McNally, Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau, Aled Davies, Rory Jennings.

Ospreys: Max Nagy; Iestyn Hopkins, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, James Fender, Jac Morgan (capt), Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris

Reserves: Lewis Lloyd, Garyn Phillips, Rhys Henry, James Ratti, Morgan Morse, Kieran Hardy, Jack Walsh, Evardi Boshoff.