Nobody would have predicted Cardiff going to Llandovery and scoring a magnificent seven tries in a 52-19 win to take them back to the top of the Super Rygbi Cyrmu table – not even their own top brass!
Cardiff Rugby academy manager Gruff Rees was the first to admit he never expected to see a win of such magnitude over a Drovers side that had remained unbeaten since October in all competitions.
“We were really on it and the players loved playing on the new all-weather surface at Church Bank. We were physical up front and clinical behind,” said Rees.
“We were all trying to remember the last time we had won in Llandovery because they’ve had it over us in recent years. Matty Young was sensational at full back and Dewi Cross was superb on the wing.”
Cross bagged brace of tries to make it 51 in 54 games for Cardiff to underline his quality and value to the team. The former Wales U20 and Ospreys wing is the most lethal finisher in the league.
A six-point haul moved Cardiff ahead of Ebbw Vale at the top of the table and gave them a four- point lead. They were 22 points ahead after only 16 minutes and by half-time they had built their lead to 30-5.
It was the first time the Blue & Blacks had won at Church Bank since April 2022, and they did it despite playing for 30 minutes with 14 men after suffering three yellow cards.
As well as the Cross double, centre Osian Darwin-Lewis crossed twice, and other tries came from Young, Joe Goodchild and Joe Williams. Josh Thomas kicked 17 points.
Harri Doel, Adam Warren and Harri Doel scored tries for the Drovers, with Ioan Hughes adding a conversion.