By Callum Nixon and Jacob Chick
A FIERCELY fought derby saw Cardiff University claim a narrow success over USW 2nd at their Llanrumney base in the capital.
USW started the game brightly and were unfortunate to have a try disallowed in the fifth minute due to an offside decision.
But it was Cardiff who opened the scoring in the 11th minute, with a try also being converted to establish a 7-0 lead.
The hosts quickly followed up with another try to go 12-0 in front, but USW were off the mark in the 18th minute with a penalty from full-back Jordan Evans.
By the interval the deficit was 12-6 after another Evans penalty and USW had the platform to turn around the game.
Half time – 12-6 #USWM2vCARM6 #BUCSWednesday #USWRugby @SportsJournoUSW pic.twitter.com/HISTngGGZg
— Callum Nixon Sports Journalism (@CallumUSWsports) November 28, 2018
The second half started just as the first had ended – big tackles were a regular occurrence and USW No8 Chris Goldthorpe was a casualty of one hit which delayed the game for five minutes.
After 51 minutes Cardiff charged forward and registered another unconverted try that put them 17-6 to the good.
USW did get a try back but they were then hampered by Cole Barry receiving a yellow card.
Cardiff claimed another try with 10 minutes left and although a callum Digby touchdown gave USW some hope, there was no way back.
While it was a valiant effort from the USW side, they left empty-handed and will go into their next match against Aberystwyth hoping for a much better result.
Manager Tom Cole speaks about his side’s 22-16 defeat to Cardiff University #USWM2vCARM6 #BUCSWednesday #USWRugby @SportsJournoUSW pic.twitter.com/M0MkZM4MNT
— Callum Nixon Sports Journalism (@CallumUSWsports) November 28, 2018