Cardiff Captain Shellard
Cardiff Go Top of Welsh Premiership
Cardiff Captain Shellard
By Andrew Collins
April 11 2009
Cardiff RFC made it twelve wins from twelve tonight, as they beat Bedwas 39-18 to go top of the Welsh Premiership. With just 5 games to go, The Blue and Blacks could become just the second side to win the League since the change to regionalism, toppling Neath as Wales' number one club side.
Cardiff Captain Shellard
April 11 2009
Cardiff RFC made it twelve wins from twelve tonight, as they beat Bedwas 39-18 to go top of the Welsh Premiership. With just 5 games to go, The Blue and Blacks could become just the second side to win the League since the change to regionalism, toppling Neath as Wales' number one club side.
Cardiff sit top of the Welsh Premiership tonight having claimed a bonus point win over Bedwas, while seeing Swansea beat nearest rivals Llanelli 31-23.
The Arms Park side scored six tries on their way to victory, with wingers Ryan Howells and Chris Czekaj each getting a brace, full back Craig Morgan crossing once, and for the second time in a week, the home side were awarded a penalty try as they showed their class.
The Cardiff club suffered a torrid start to the season when head coach Justin Burnell left for a role with the Blues, before Alex Codling took over for just one month. However since the arrival of former Leeds and Scarlets coach, Phil Davies, the performances and results have improved, with the side now just a handful of games away from winning a major trophy.
February's 'Player of the Month', Rhys Shellard (pictured), has been a key figure in the push for the top spot, and returned on Friday night following a spell with the Wales 7's squad. But the flanker was quick to praise the influence Davies has had since his arrival in a consult role,
“Since Phil arrived at the club, he has given us the confidence to go out and play rugby – and the open style of play he advocates also suits me down to the ground. Phil has brought a professional edge to the set-up and we are now meeting for training three times a week in addition to our individual work. The upturn in our results on the field means we now have real ambitions to win the league. We know that if we can keep winning, we have a side that can achieve that goal for the first time since the Premiership began.”
Craig Morgan; Ryan Howells, Gareth Chapman, Darren Ryan, Chris Czekaj; Gareth Davies, Andy Williams; Ian George, Rhys James, Phil Osborne, Matthew Veater, James Down, Damian Welch, Craig Everett, Rhys Shellard (captain)
Garry Horrigan, Kristian Gay, Dan Partridge, Adam Powell, David Walsh, Shaun James, Richard Jones
Tries: Howells 2, penalty, Morgan, Czakaj 2
Penalties:Davies
Conversions: Davies 3
This is how the league looks approaching the end of the season;
1.Cardiff -Played 21 - Points 77
2. Llanelli - Played 22 - Points 74
3. Newport - Played 21 - Points 72
4. Neath - Played 21 - Points 65
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StumbleuponCardiff Go Top of Welsh Premiership
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2009 00:39
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Re: Cardiff Go Top of Welsh Premiership
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2009 08:42
A good display last night after a dodgy start. The scrum was good and some of the offloads were superb.
Come on the RAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Come on the RAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Cardiff Go Top of Welsh Premiership
Posted by: Dare2bBlue (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2009 10:40
Yes a big turnaround from an indifferent start to the season. No losses since November, and the prospect of a bigger support base next season, as all season tickets will cover RFC matches! Good luck to them and lets hope theres lots of silverware for all Cardiff rugby this year.
Dare 2B Different - Dare2bBlue
Dare 2B Different - Dare2bBlue
Re: Cardiff Go Top of Welsh Premiership
Posted by: jenksta (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2009 11:48
I think Newport have won the Welsh Prem. Before the Neath dominance started.
Re: Cardiff Go Top of Welsh Premiership
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 11/04/2009 22:11
Newport won the first Premiership (post regions) when Cardiff won at Neath.
