By David Williams
Cardiff finished their United Rugby Championship of 2024 on a high while the Dragons finished theirs on a familiar case of white might have been if only chances had been taken.
Cardiff collected five points from the fixture at a packed Rodney Parade to move into third place on the league table as the Dragons remain rooted firmly to the bottom.
It proved a game of two halves for the home side who held a 15-5 lead at the break and were good value for their advantage. Angus O’Brien kept putting his forwards in the right areas of the park in the opening 40 minutes in what was his 100th appearance for the Dragons.
But when Cardiff upped their game in the second half, Dragons fell off the pace, and plenty of tackles, as the visitors came from behind to score three second half tries to deny a spirited home side performance.
️ In case you missed the action live, here are the Official Match Highlights from last night’s East Wales Derby victory over @dragonsrfc! #AlwaysCardiff #YmlaenCaerdydd pic.twitter.com/sUShvQJ8rc
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) December 27, 2024
Dragons attack coach Matt O’Brien said: “It’s a difficult one to take. I thought there was a lot of good stuff in the game, but so near, yet so far.
“I think we probably lost some moments in terms of our discipline in the middle third of the game, which cost us two tries and Cardiff were then back in it at 15-12.
“I think we probably look back on that and there were some decisions we made around discipline which cost us.”
Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt said: “You always have to work hard here. It’s a tough place to come.
“It’s as tough as I’ve seen it today. A full house, booed off the pitch after the warm-up, which is brilliant.
“It’s what a derby is all about. It was a good advert for the league and Welsh rugby, two teams and sets of fans going at each other for 80 minutes.
“We’re just pleased to come out on the right side of the result. ”
The Dragons gave it their all in the first half with Welsh stars Aaron Wainwright and Rio Dyer crossing for tries to give the home faithful plenty to cheer about.
Cardiff Rugby edge a really close festive Welsh derby against the Dragons at Rodney Parade #BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/zuNELfjEFZ
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) December 26, 2024
Wainwright dashed through a flat-footed Cardiff defence, after Dragons worked the ball off the top of a line-out. Scrum half Rhodri Williams found the rampaging Wainwright in full flight, and he side-stepped his way over. O’Brien conversion put the home side 7-0 ahead after 15 minutes.
O’Brien then fired over a 40m penalty to successfully turn Dragon’s pressure into points to give the home side a 10-0 lead.
Dyer then took full advantage of some neat work by O’Brien who chipped the ball across field. The Dragons winger caught the Cardiff defence napping to hack the ball with some deft footwork to collect the home side’s second try of the match.
Referee Adam Jones awarded Teddy Williams a try when the big second row stretched out to give the Cardiff fans something to shout about.
The Dragons putting Welsh rugby first and backing Cardiff’s bid for the URC play-offs at the expense of ending the hoodoo.
Team players.
On the whistle report and, you guessed it, another missed opportunity as the losing streak hits 19:https://t.co/nW94dQp7C4
— Chris Kirwan (@c_kirwan) December 26, 2024
Cardiff had the perfect start to the second half when Welsh international Josh Adams cantered over without a hand being laid on him. Callum Sheedy’s conversion brought the visitors right back into the mix.
Cardiff struck with venom to take the lead for the first time of the match in the 56th minute with Hamer-Webb touching down after being put clear by Cam Winnett. Sheedy’s conversion put Cardiff 15-19 ahead.
Dragons regained the lead in the 68th minute when Rodri Williams sniped over after the hard work was done by the home pack. O’Brien landed the conversion to give the home side a 22-19 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
Cardiff went on the attack and had the Dragons defence creaking. The home side conceded a number of penalties near their own line as the visitors went in for the kill.
Eventually the pressure told as the backs joined a rolling maul to drag Evan Lloyd over the whitewash to put Cardiff back in front with a try-bonus point safely secured.
