Principality Premiership, Saturday March 2
A Jamie Davies hat-trick saw Cardiff dent Cross Keys’ top three ambitions at the Arms Park.
Davies’ superb performance, combined with the boot of Joe Griffin, saw the Blue and Blacks secure a vital 24-21 win.
The home side led after just three minutes – Garyn Lucan charged down a clearance kick and Cardiff pounced on the ball. When it was then moved wide, Griffin picked out Davies who had run an exceptional line to split the defence and score under the posts. Griffin converted.
Cross Keys hit back with a try of their own shortly after. Nathan Trowbridge raced towards the corner only to be pulled down just short but Aled James was on hand to score. The Blue and Blacks then extended their lead. A break by Dan Crimmins was well supported and quick ball was made available by the rest of the pack. Sion Hopkins used it wisely, putting Ryan Harford into a hole that he happily galloped into. The prop showed great hands in delaying the pass to Davies who outpaced the cover to score his second.
Griffin extended the lead with the conversion and a penalty before Keys got back into the game. Just before the break Dorian Jones landed a snap drop goal and then a penalty as the visitors went into the break 17-11 behind.
The second half was marred by several niggles with Referee Sean Brickell forced to brandish several cards. Ryan Harford and Dan Hodge were sent for a ten minute rest following a bout of handbags and during their absence, Keys took the lead. Rob Nash had come off the bench and from a driving lineout, he found the space to sneak over. Jones added the conversion and a second penalty and the visitors looked to be in control.
Cardiff’s defence though was proving to be as good as ever and the pack, led by the exceptional Ben Roach, were standing up to everything the Keys threw at them. That included any foul play and after one incident the touch judge stepped in to indicate an incident that saw Ollie Hodge shown a red card.
That was the end of Keys as an attacking threat and left Cardiff chasing the score that would have seen them win the game. It came with virtually the last move of the game. A break by Matt Smith was supported by Roach and when he went to ground, Lucas flung the ball out to Griffin.
He in turn found Davies near the halfway line. The winger beat the first line of defence before powering through the fullback’s tackle and sprinting over the line for his hat-trick.
Griffin added the extras as Cardiff got back to winning ways.