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Aberavon v Cardiff MatchPack : Preview
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Aberavon |
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Cardiff |
Principality Building Society Premiership, Talbot Athletic Ground, Saturday
January 5th 2008
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Cardiff are Aberavon's first Principality Building
Society Premiership opponents of 2008 when both sides clash
at the Talbot Athletic Ground this coming Saturday, kick off
2:30pm. |
The Blue and Blacks have won nine and drawn one
of their thirteen league games this season and are currently
third in the table. Only points ratio separate both them and
second placed Ebbw Vale.
Only three sides have beaten Cardiff this season, namely
Glamorgan Wanderers, Ebbw Vale and Llanelli. Their sole draw
came against Swansea early in the season. They have won their
last four league games beating Neath, Maesteg, Bedwas and
Pontypridd. Back in September at the Arms Park Cardiff narrowly
beat the Wizards 25 - 23.
Away from home the Blue & Blacks have won five, drawn one and
lost two.
Head-to-head Aberavon and Cardiff have faced each other 15 times
in the Welsh National League with the Blue & Blacks leading the
series by 9 wins to 6. At the Talbot Athletic Ground Aberavon
have won 4 from 7 and have won the last 4 games there.
Last seasons game saw James Garland make his debut for the club
as he came in from Vardre for the injured Jamie Davies. The
match also marked the 100th appearance for centre Darren Ryan
who could well face his former teammates this coming Saturday
after joining Cardiff earlier this season. The Wizards got off
to a great start and led 10 - 0 after 11 minutes thanks to a try
by Liam Gadd and a conversion and penalty by Garland. However, a
brace of tries by Tom James, both converted by Craig Evans put
the visitors ahead. Garland kicked his second penalty in injury
time to make the score 14 - 13 to Cardiff at the interval. A try
by Chris Wells in the third quarter, again converted by Garland
put the Wizards back ahead before James scored his third try of
the afternoon. Leon Andrews conversion gave Cardiff a 21 - 20
lead after 64 mins. A Richard Carter try and Garland conversion
four minutes later put the homeside back infront and the game
was made safe thanks to an injury time penalty by Garland. Final
score, Aberavon 30, Cardiff 21.
The Wizards team that day was: Liam Gadd; Richard Carter,
Richard Thomas, David Hawkins (rep Darren Ryan), Paul Bamsey;
James Garland, Ricky Richards (rep Daniel Hawkins); Mike Harris
(rep Lloyd Howell), Marc Breeze (rep Chris Wells), Anthony
Edwards (rep Mike Harris), Paul Morgan, Chris Gittins (capt)
(rep Ian Moore), James Davies (rep Darryl Thomas), Richard
Morris, Simon Peters.
The referee for Saturday's game is Nigel Owens, aided by touch
judges Ken Bowen and David Todd Jones.
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