Davies brace takes Aberavon to victory

Feb 17 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

Aberavon 30-23 Cardiff

ABERAVON gave a repeat performance of their league win over Cardiff last month with wing Steve Davies running in their first and last touchdowns.

For Davies, a Wales Youth cap who suffered a severe back injury and admitted to crying every time he thought of players such as Jamie Roberts and Alun Wyn Jones reaching senior caps while he was suffering, it was a great day.

Coach Simon King said: “If you win a cup you have somewhere along the line got to beat some of the best sides and Cardiff are a good side. Work ethic and guts took us through.”

Cardiff coach Justin Burnell thought his side could have made it.

But he said: “We could shout injuries and under-20 calls, but really you still have to put your hands up and go out and win.”

Aberavon led with an eighth-minute Davies try after Liam Gadd had cleverly chipped through, but despite great pressure, it was Cardiff who levelled when their outstanding lock Damian Welch beat off tacklers in a splendid run.

A Craig Evans penalty edged Cardiff in front for the only time as the Wizards suddenly struck when No 8 Richard Morris burst through a lineout to send scrum-half Chris Morgans tearing over in the corner.

Morris later commented: “Of course it was a planned move. Like hell it was!”

A Jamie Davies penalty extended the Aberavon lead, but Cardiff came back with a good try on the stroke of half-time as replacement Richard Jones put lively full-back Roger Davies over for 13-13.

In the second half, Aberavon went further ahead when flanker Chris Davies took a Morgans pass to go over like a launched missile and Davies converted.

Evans pulled back a penalty, but Aberavon seemed more likely to score next.

After a Davies penalty, the clever Morgans kicked ahead and Steve Davies streaked away to gather and go under the posts.

At 30-16 with only two minutes remaining, referee Hugh Watkins found minute after minute of extra time and Cardiff’s attacks brought hooker Ross Johnston a try that Evans converted.

However, after 10 extra minutes the final whistle eventually sounded.

Aberavon: Tries – S Davies (2), C Davies, C Morgans; cons – J Davies (2); pens – J Davies (2).

Cardiff: Tries – D Welch, R Davies, R Johnston; con – C Evans; pens – C Evans (2).