Match Report: Aberavon 24 – 28 Cardiff

Aberavon fell to a narrow 28–24 defeat against Cardiff in this rearranged Super Rygbi Cymru fixture at the Talbot Athletic Ground, a match originally scheduled for early January but postponed. Played in dry, overcast, and cold conditions, it was a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout, with The Wizards’ strong scrum a feature of the afternoon but ultimately not enough to overturn Cardiff.

The Blue & Blacks struck first after 12 minutes. Awarded a penalty, they kicked to the corner, secured the lineout, and worked through several close-range phases before wing Joe Goodchild found a gap to score. Outside-half Harri Wilde added the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Aberavon responded steadily, and after building pressure of their own, The Wizards were rewarded on 22 minutes when outside-half Keillen Cullen slotted a straightforward penalty to narrow the deficit.

The home side then enjoyed their best spell of the half. Another penalty allowed Aberavon to kick to the corner, and following a secure lineout, a clever chip ahead caused problems in the Cardiff defence. Wing Felix Gilbert judged the kick superbly and outjumped his opposite number to touch down. Cullen converted to give The Wizards a 10-7 advantage after 27 minutes. Cardiff, however, hit back. A familiar route – penalty, kick to the corner, lineout drive – allowed hooker Evan Nicholls-Ngasseu to force his way over on 33 minutes, Wilde again adding the extras for a 14-10 lead to The Blue & Blacks.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Cardiff extended that advantage when captain Craig Hudd finished off a flowing move that began inside their own half. Wilde maintained his perfect record from the tee, giving the visitors a 21-10 lead at the interval.

The second half began with a boost for Aberavon when Cardiff flanker Benjamin Fry was shown a yellow card on 42 minutes. The Wizards made the most of the numerical advantage almost immediately. A five-metre scrum provided an ideal platform, and the ball was moved crisply to allow Cullen to hit an angled line and score in the righthand corner. His touchline conversion was superb, narrowing the score to 21-17 after 44 minutes.

After a flurry of changes on 51 minutes – including five new forwards – Aberavon almost struck again. Gilbert made a break down the flank, supported well by flanker Gwilym Evans, but the ball-carrier was held up over the line as The Blue & Blacks clung to their advantage. Cardiff returned to full strength on 55 minutes when Fry rejoined the action.

The next decisive score came in the 71st minute. Once more Cardiff earned a penalty, kicked to the corner, and produced a powerful lineout drive. Nicholls-Ngasseu crashed over for his second try and The Blue & Blacks’ bonus-point score. Full-back Matty Young converted for a 28-17 lead. The Wizards, though, refused to yield. A sweeping, patient attack from touchline to touchline on 74 minutes ended with wing Frankie Jones finishing smartly, and Cullen again converted to bring Aberavon back within four points.

The closing stages were filled with tension as Aberavon pushed hard for a winning score. At the 80-minute mark they were camped inside Cardiff’s 22 but knocked the ball forward. They regained possession soon after, only to be penalised once more in Cardiff’s red zone. In the final moments, The Blue & Blacks held onto the ball and managed the clock expertly to seal a hard-fought away victory.

Despite the loss, The Wizards produced long spells of determined, enterprising rugby and dominated the scrum throughout, setting a strong platform that nearly turned the match in their favour.

Date:
Saturday March 7th, 2026

Score:
Aberavon 24 – 28 Cardiff

Aberavon Team:
Scott Delnevo; Frankie Jones, Sam Matthews, Bradley Roderick (capt), Felix Gilbert; Keillen Cullen, Elis Horgan (rep Scott Whitlock 51 min); Jordan Walters (rep Freddie Chapman 51 min), Luke Davies (rep Saul Hurley 51 min), Conrad Delfosse (rep Geraint James 51 min), Shay Smallman, James Clegg (rep Lewis Marsh 51 min), Cameron Loveys (rep Ben Gregory 51 min), Ashton Evans, Gwilym Evans.

Replacements Not Used:
Sam Jardine, Evren Ozbilen.

Notes:
Conrad Delfosse appeared from Tonna RFC; Cameron Loveys appeared from Baglan RFC; Evren Ozbilen appeared from Bridgend Athletic RFC.

Aberavon Scorers:
T – Felix Gilbert, Keillen Cullen, Frankie Jones
C – Keillen Cullen (3)
P – Keillen Cullen

Cardiff Scorers:
T – Evan Nicholls-Ngasseu (2), Joe Goodchild, Craig Hudd
C – Harri Wilde (3), Matty Young

Referee:
Rhys Jones

Man Of The Match:
1 – Ashton Evans
2 – Scott Delnevo
3 – Gwilym Evans

Time Line:
12 min: Cardiff – T – Joe Goodchild & C – Harri Wilde (0 – 7)
22 min: Aberavon – PG – Keillen Cullen (3 – 7)
27 min: Aberavon – T – Felix Gilbert & C – Keillen Cullen (10 – 7)
33 min: Cardiff – T – Evan Nicholls-Ngasseu & C – Harri Wilde (10 – 14)
40 min: Cardiff – T – Craig Hudd & C – Harri Wilde (10 – 21)
40+1 min: Half Time
42 min: Cardiff – Yellow Card – Benjamin Fry
44 min: Aberavon – T – Keillen Cullen & C – Keillen Cullen (17 – 21)
55 min: Cardiff – End Yellow Card – Benjamin Fry
71 min: Cardiff – T – Evan Nicholls-Ngasseu & C – Matty Young (17 – 28)
74 min: Aberavon – T – Frankie Jones & C – Keillen Cullen (24 – 28)
80+4 min: Full Time