Nayoa Inoue (25-0) takes on Marlon Taples (37-3) from the Philippians. This Boxing Day showdown will be for the Undisputed Super-Bantamweight Championship.
This will be familiar territory for the Japanese “Monster” as after beating Paul Butler this time last year, will add to his confidence on Tuesday evening or for the UK watchers Tuesday Morning .
Inoue stopped Butler in the 11th round which meant he added the last piece to his collection to become Undisputed Champion at 118lbs. Inoue will be looking to become a two weight Undisputed Champion. If successful Inoue will cement himself as one of the pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
However, The “Nightmare” will be hoping to ruin the Christmas celebrations for the Japanese fighter as he brings his WBA and IBF belts and will look to add late Christmas present’s with Inoue’s belts to his collection.
Tapales who also started at light-flyweight is currently in his fifth weight division at the age of 31.
In the Filipino’s last fight, he defeated Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev via a split decision. The Nightmare prior to going 12-rounds with Akhmadaliev has knocked out three opponents in a row within two rounds.
This shows Tapales has got some serious talent and power. This is further shown in nine of his last 10 victories have ended by knockout, which means Tapales could cause some problems for the Japanese megastar.
The 30-year-old unbeaten four-weight World Champion from Kanagawa carries a lot of power and has fought his way through the light-fly, super-fly, bantam and super-bantamweight divisions.
This domination has left a trail of destruction behind as he has 22 knockouts throughout this period which includes 12 World Champions in the past.
Writers thoughts:
Inoue is looking to do what Terrence Crawford successfully managed earlier in the year where he destroyed Errol Spence Jr and become a two-weight world Champion. Inoue hopes to end 2023 being the second fighter to be a two-weight World Champion.
I’ve got Inoue winning this fight on points as Tapales has got a very big heart and will not be easy to stop. This will be a brilliant watch and could possible sneak into the top 10 fights of year even with only 5 days left.
This period is full of historical rivalries, with all eyes and talking points being on the regional sides this festive period.
Everyone should be paying more attention to the next round of fixtures in the Indigo Premiership, as there are some crackers to whet the appetite before and after Christmas Day.
Firstly, Church Bank is the destination for The Towy Valley Derby as Llandovery welcomes Carmarthen Quins to Church Bank. The two met earlier in the season at The Park, where The Drovers ran in eight tries, with two coming from 23-year-old Harri Doel in their 54-31 triumph. The last time the Quins won at Church Bank was in 2021 in a Friendly, where they won 33-14.
Llandovery are coming into this game on a winning streak of seven, with their last defeat coming at the hands of second-place Ebbw Vale back in October. Quins go into this game on the back of being knocked out of the Welsh Cup by Merthyr, followed by a 54-24 defeat to Ebbw Vale.
Writers Views:
Church Bank
The last couple of meetings are in favour of the Drovers as they look to stay on top with victory, for the Quins they have not won since the 9th of September when they destroyed Neath away from home in the Welsh Cup 49-14. Llandovery have proven why they are so dominant and one of the best in the Indigo Premiership. I believe this dominance will continue on Saturday with another victory over 12th-place Carmarthen for the Drovers.
Pontypool lock horns with local rivals Newport at Pontypool Park. The last time these two met was on the opening weekend of the season, when The Black and Ambers scored six tries. Lloyd Lewis and Joe Westwood were among the try scores.
This was the first game back in the top flight for Pooler in over 11 years. The last time they had met was back in April of 2012 when Pooler won 27-17.
Pontypool Park
Poolers’ trip to North Wales to face RGC was postponed due to them being unable to field a front row. Also, having been knocked out early in the Welsh Cup and having a week break has meant they have had numerous weeks on the sidelines.
Their last game was away to Bridgend in late November, where they lost 27-23. The Black and Ambers also travelled to the Brewery Field last time out in the Indigo Premiership and were victorious in front of the TV cameras as they recorded a 57-27 win.
Writers view:
Pontypool have had over three weeks off which isn’t handy, and Newport lost one game away to Llandovery in that period. Considering this, both teams come into this game at Pontypool Park evenly matched and with a big crowd expected. Pontypool just edges it in my opinion but by good faith, it could go either way as both teams have some exceptional talent that will be on display in an absolute Christmas Cracker.
Speaking of Christmas Crackers, Cardiff entertain long standing rivals Pontypridd at the Cardiff Arms Park in front of the TV cameras.
It will be back-to-back Boxing days that Cardiff face The Valley Commandos at the Arms Park. Last season, The Blue and Blacks sealed a 39-13 win.
The last time these two met was in early September at Sardis Road when it finished a 19-19 draw after a late try from Will Keep. Morgan Allen and Dewi Cross scored for Cardiff that day, with the other try coming for Pontypridd by Garyn Smith.
Cardiff Arms Park
After getting knocked out of the Cup by Ebbw Vale, The Blue and Blacks returned to winning ways last time out against Merthyr at The Wern 45-20.
The Blue and Blacks come into this festive derby with some momentum to build upon. However, The Valley Commandos go into this game on a four-match winning streak after beating RGC 29-17.
This game will be the last game on this blockbuster day of rugby. It is a must win match for Cardiff as they look to build confidence before a long journey to North Wales next time out.
Writers view:
With both teams coming into this game on the back of victories, which sets it up nicely for another entertaining game of rugby. However, I believe that Cardiff will be victorious but will be pushed all the way by a very tough Ponty team.
Merthyr travel into Gwent to face Ebbw Vale at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium and will seek revenge. This is because the last time they encountered one another, The Ironmen took an early 21-0 lead at the halfway stage.
Ciner Glass Community Stadium
The Steelmen decided to show why they are a top four team and in the second half, Curtis Gregory, Ethan Phillips and Rhys Francis all scored to bring themselves surprisingly back into the game at the Wern.
Evan Lloyd’s trusty boot added to the scoreboard, which meant Ebbw Vale recorded an exceptionally deserved away bonus point win 24-17.
Writers view:
Both of these teams are in the semi-final of the Welsh Cup, which means they have had to play some good rugby. This game will be another close encounter with some high-quality action. However, Ebbw Vale have now had three home games on the bounce, and in my opinion Ebbw Vale comfortably does the double over The Ironmen.
Swansea travel to the Brewery Field for their final away game of 2023. They face Bridgend in another festive derby. The Ravens will be hoping to do the double on the All Whites. The last time they met each other was at St Helen’s, when Luke Price was the hero as he scored 23 of the 28 points all from the tee.
Brewery Field
Swansea are coming off a hard-fought victory at the Gnoll against Neath, winning 27-22. The hosts for Saturday’s head-to-head lost last time out to The Black and Ambers 57-27 after a solid second-half performance from the visitors.
Writers view:
With the last result being as close as just a single point, we are definitely in for another close encounter. The Brewery Field is no easy place to go and win, we’ve seen one of the top four in Pontypool recently lose 27-23 at the Brewery Field. I believe Bridgend will do the double on the All Whites, but it will be a close encounter that will probably come down to the finest of margins.
Neath welcome Aberavon for a Boxing Day clash for the first time in six years at the Lexton Gnoll. Aberavon sit four places above The Welsh All Blacks. The hosts sit bottom of the Indigo Premiership as they have yet to pick up a single win this season and are coming off a 27-22 loss to Swansea. Steff Williams was the man to pick up a deserved bonus point after successfully kicking a penalty.
Aberavon are coming off defeats to top-of-the-league Llandovery in both League and Cup but were victorious against a high-flying Ebbw Vale side.
These two last met around the festive period on Boxing Day of 2018, where Neath ran out 36-17 victors; later that season, Neath was again victorious 43-12.
Writer’s View:
This match is a repeat of the first game of the season, where Aberavon won 27-14. Since then, Aberavon have been slightly inconsistent on occasions this season. This could play in favour of Neath if that Aberavon side turns up. However, The Wizards will run out victorious, but it won’t be as comfortable, as Swansea had to work hard at the Gnoll to win so expect the same for Aberavon.
RGC will have the first week of the festive period of big games off as they prepare to welcome the Blue and Blacks to Stadiwm CSM on the 30th of December, which will be live on S4C.
The Blue and Blacks bow out of the WRU Premiership Cup after defeat to a robust Ebbw Vale side at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium.
There was a late change to the starting 15 for Cardiff, as Arwel Robson dropped out and Harrison James moved from fullback to flyhalf. Jacob Lloyd comes off the bench to start at fullback, with young Kodie Stone coming onto the bench.
Evan Lloyd got the quarter-final underway. The first chance fell to The Steelmen as Joe Goodchild’s kick was charged down, and Jacob Lloyd was forced to take it over the Cardiff line for a goal-line dropout.
After early pressure on the Blue and Blacks defence from 5 metres out, referee Rhys Jones awarded The Steelmen a penalty just after the seven-minute mark. Evan Lloyd broke the deadlock with a vital penalty kick.
Ebbw Vale didn’t back off, as the pressure was straight back on the Blue and Blacks after a mammoth scrum from the hosts. This resulted in another penalty, which Evan Lloyd got and built up the scoreboard.
It got worse for Cardiff as Jacob Lloyd passed the ball forward, which resulted in another scrum for The Steelmen 5 metres out from The Blue and Black’s line. It was another brilliant drive at the scrum from the hosts as referee Rhys Jones awarded a penalty try. This extended the lead to thirteen.
With it seemingly being all Ebbw Vale, at the 30-minute mark, Harrison James converted a penalty to shorten the gap on the scoreboard.
Just before halftime, The Steelmen went looking for their second as they were metres away from Cardiff’s line. Evan Lloyd switched the direction of attack, and Ethan Phillips powered his way through Cardiff’s defence to score.
HT: Ebbw Vale 20-3 Cardiff
After not having much to smile about in the first half, the Blue and Blacks started the second half much more potently.
Referee Rhys Jones awarded a penalty to Cardiff, and Jacob Lloyd kicked to the corner. Following the successful take of the ball at the lineout, Alun Rees was the man to cross for the visitors first try of the afternoon. This try also meant that Alun Rees has now scored 100 points in a Blue and Black shirt.
Cardiff were playing a lot more positively and freely throughout the second half. Subsequently, another driving maul followed a little while later, and replacement Eddie Drake crossed for Cardiff’s second with momentum appearing to change on the 65-minute mark.
The hosts were quieter in the final quarter as it was all Cardiff. On the 70-minute mark, scrum-half Jon Evans chipped over the top of Cardiff’s defence and former Cardiff age-grade player Amir Jiwa-Walji pounced on a loose ball and sprinted towards Cardiff’s line to score the host’s third.
Cardiff return to Indigo Premiership action next week as they travel to the Wern to play Merthyr.
Last time out in the Cup, The Blue and Blacks knocked out rivals Newport 38-15 at the Cardiff Arms Park. While, Ebbw Vale knocked out struggling Neath at the Gnoll 40-19.
Cardiff have already faced The Steelmen once this season in their second home game. Ebbw Vale took the points on that occasion. Alun Rees and Kodie Stone both scored, but it wasn’t enough.
The Blue and Blacks have an excellent record for trips up the Valley to Ebbw Vale, and last season, Cardiff did the double, winning 18-13 away from home and narrowly winning 20-19 at the Arms Park.
The last time Cardiff lost at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium was in December 2018, when Rhys Jones dropped a late drop-goal to secure the victory for The Steelmen.
The Steelmen have won three out of their last five but are coming off a surprising defeat against Aberavon 24-13. That turned out to be the only Indigo Premiership game that week that took place.
Due to the freezing weather, The Blue and Blacks were supposed to have travelled to West Wales to face Carmarthen Quins, but due to the pitch being frozen, it meant the game was cancelled and will be rescheduled for later in the season.
Steve Law’s men come into this game fully recharged after a week off, and Law makes a handful of changes to his starting XV that was supposed to take on Carmarthen Quins last time out.
Alun Rees and Freddie Barnes come into the front row replacing Efan Daniel and Christian Brooke.
Nathan Hudd who was meant to start his 50th game in a Blue and Black shirt last time out will get the opportunity again and will be joined in the back row by Craig Hudd and captain Morgan Allen.
26-year-old Arwel Robson returns at flyhalf and Tom Habberfield replaces Joe Williams to complete the halfbacks.
Harrison James moves to fullback, replacing Jacob Lloyd, who drops onto the bench. Both Dewi Cross and Joe Goodchild start on the wing. This will be Goodchild’s 35th game in a Blue and Black shirt.
Cardiff Starting XV: 15. Harrison James, 14. Joe Goodchild, 13. Luke Pollock, 12. Arron Pinches, 11. Dewi Cross, 10. Arwel Robson, 9. Tom Habberfield, 1. Ollie Evans, 2. Alun Rees, 3. Freddie Barnes, 4. Sean Moore, 5. Ethan Phillips, 6. Craig Hudd, 7. Nathan Hudd, 8. Morgan Allen (C)
Replacements: 16. Tyler Olding, 17. Eddie Drake, 18. Adam Williams, 19. Shaun O’Rourke, 20. Ioan Pascoe, 21. Joe Williams, 22. Jacob Lloyd, 23. Matty Young
Hall of Famer Alun Priday has been a stalwart at Cardiff RFC for over 7 decades and made 410 appearances for Cardiff between 1953 and 1966 scoring 33 tries.
Image courtesy of Cardiff Athletic Club – Alun Priday
Priday is only one of three players to play over 400 times for the Blue and Blacks.
His earliest memory of the Blue and Blacks was when he was in his early teen years when his father took him to his first game at the Cardiff Arms Park and this struck his love for the club.
He said: “My father decided to take me to the Arms Park back in 1945 and I remember Dr Glyn Jones scoring right in front of me in the corner.
“I was then hooked and had high ambitions to play for Cardiff,” he added.
Priday said: “After seeing the 1947-48 season it made me want to play for Cardiff even more.”
That season saw Bleddyn Williams break the record of 40 tries scored by T.W. Pearson’s. That record was broken in a demolition job of nine tries against Gloucester, with Bleddyn scoring four.
That record of 41 tries still has not been beaten to this day.
Priday made his debut for the senior side on Easter Monday back in 1953 at just 22 years old against Harlequins when the Blue and Blacks won 15-3.
Priday said: “I remember it very well, one of my best days in rugby.
“When I was asked to play for Cardiff it was an absolute honour,” he added.
The former Tongwynlais player moved to Cardiff in 1953 and at the end of his playing career, he was one point away from 1,800 points in a Blue and Black shirt.
One of Alun’s favourite moments in his career wasn’t when he had an invitation to play for the Barbarians or even his international call-up for Wales where he went on to win 2 caps.
He said: “Even though they were massive honours to play for, to say you’re a Welsh international is a good feeling, however whenever we played Newport it was always a memorable one.
“When Cardiff played Newport, it felt like an international whenever we played them and whether it be home or away, we always wanted to win.
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“We used to play Newport 4 times a year back then, and it was always the game where I was up for it as I was a true Cardiff boy who carried a lot of pride when putting on that Cardiff shirt,” Priday insisted.
Priday made a surprising appearance for Aberavon when they played against Newport, he replaced Ross Richard on that day.
He said: “I remember they (Aberavon) asked me to play but I was not sure if I wanted to play for another team other than Cardiff, but when they told me that it was against Newport I said yes.”
Then in 1960 Priday played against a very much feared Springboks team in front of 50,000 people at the Cardiff Arms Park.
He said: “It was a tough old game that one was, I remember Mannetjies Roux hit me with some force from out of nowhere and I didn’t know where I was when I got up,” he added.
When talking about his career Priday also commented on the old leather balls that they played with, he said: “It was like kicking a brick, and when it rained it made it even harder and therefore made it even more difficult for me to kick at the posts.”
Throughout his playing days, Priday also played Cricket for Cardiff Athletic Club.
12 years after making his debut, Priday played his 410th game away in Bridgend, where he played his final game in a Blue and Black shirt in 1965.
Alun Priday has carried on his support for the club as he became a committee member and in November 2021, he became the president of the Cardiff Athletic Club.
When discussing the start of the 2023-24 campaign for the Blue and Blacks, he said:
“It’s been an up-and-down start with some good wins against some strong opposition and good rugby being played but there is a long way to go until the end of the season.”
When asked about who has stood out, he said: “I don’t want to just name one player.
“Everyone has a role to play in that dressing room and I have been impressed with the effort that they are all putting in,” he concluded.
After putting 10 tries past a poor Aberavon side last time out, Cardiff are looking to make it three wins in a row against a struggling Carmarthen Quins side who have yet to pick up a win for over two months.
Quins have yet to pick up a win at home this season and their last victory came back on the 9th of September when they put 49 points past Neath at the Gnoll.
The last time The Blue and Blacks faced Carmarthen at The Park was back in April when they had to work hard to earn a 23-14 victory.
On that day Alun Rees and Ryan Wilkins both scored with the trusted boot of Harrison James keeping Carmarthen adrift on that occasion.
The last time Carmarthen recorded a victory over The Blue and Blacks was back at the start of 2022 when they won 27-25.
Former Captain of Cardiff University, Luke Pollock is settling into Indigo Premiership life rather comfortably for The Blue and Blacks. The Northern Irishman has played 11 games and scored on four occasions.
Pollock said: “The mood was much better after putting Aberavon away, I think we needed a match like that just where everything clicked and we finally found our stride.
“It will be my first time playing in Carmarthen and I don’t know what to expect”
“Personally because I have never played them I am so excited for that challenge to play them for the first time but we are not for one minute underestimating them because we know they are a much better team at home”, he added.
He said: “It’s important to get a few wins under the belt going into Christmas.
“We are still striving for the top four to build pressure on the teams above in the top four, and we are all ready and excited to push those teams and we’re coming to get them.
“My aspirations as a player for the rest of the season for Cardiff is just to start playing well as a team in the squad find my feet a bit more in this squad and find my form.
“Finding my feet in the new league and the Indigo Premiership is a lot different from playing in the BUCS league”, he added.
Team News:
Steve Law makes numerous changes to his starting XV that faced Aberavon. 21-year-old Efan Daniel replaces Joey Tomlinson at hooker, Nathan Hudd gets his first start after returning from injury and this will be the 26-year-old’s 50th game in a Blue and Black Shirt.
There is also one positional change to the back row as Lucas De La Rua replaces Craig Hudd who drops onto the bench.
Young, Harrison James returns to flyhalf and Jacob Lloyd comes in at fullback with Matty Young moving to the wing. Joe Goodchild will start his 35th game in a Blue and Black shirt as he replaces Dewi Cross on the other wing.
Cardiff RFC Starting XV: 15. Jacob Lloyd, 14. Matty Young, 13. Luke Pollock, 12. Arron Pinches, 11. Joe Goodchild, 10. Harrison James, 9. Joe Williams, 1. Ollie Evans, 2. Efan Daniel, 3. Christian Brooke, 4. Sean Moore, 5. Ethan Phillips, 6. Lucas De La Rua, 7. Nathan Hudd, 8. Morgan Allen (C)
Replacements: 16. Joey Tomlinson, 17. Eddie Drake, 18. Freddie Barnes, 19.Shaun O’Rourke, 20. Craig Hudd, 21. Alun Rees, 22. Tom Habberfield, 23. Fraser Jones
After shocking the Katie Taylor’s (22-1-0) faithful in Dublin last time out in May, Chantelle Cameron (18-0-0) from Northampton will be hoping for the same result as she defends her undisputed light-welterweight championship this Saturday night at the 3Arena in Dublin.
The 37-year-old Taylor experienced her first ever loss in a professional boxing ring when she lost on points 95-95, 96-94, and 96-94 back in May this year.
This time around it will be the first time in her career where she will be the underdog and also will be the first time she’ll be walking first to the ring.
As we edge closer to the first bell, Taylor will have to prove if she can still compete against the next generation of Women’s Boxing.
However, Taylor will be hoping for revenge and if successful, she’ll be the first female fighter to be an undisputed champion across two weight divisions.
Writers Thoughts:
As much as I would love to see a Taylor win, she comes up against a women who back in May was on a completely different level.
In my opinion Taylor’s best chance is to take Cameron the whole 10 rounds and box intelligently, but that is speaking from the heart. My head however is saying Cameron could shock the Dublin crowd for the second successive time by stopping Taylor early by a TKO/KO.
Cardiff returned to winning ways after two losses on the bounce by beating Swansea at St Helen’s 22-12.
Aberavon have started the season rather strongly by winning three of their first five games against Bridgend, Neath, and Pontypool. However, The Wizards have yet to pick up a victory since the 19th of October when they put aside Swansea 38-32.
Last time out the visitors lost to Pontypridd 16-10 at the Talbot Athletic Ground and now sit in ninth place on 19 points in the Indigo Premiership Table, Cardiff sit three places above them in sixth place on 22 points.
The last time The Blue and Blacks faced The Wizards was back in April, on that occasion Dewi Cross was one of four tries scorers as Cardiff recorded a Bonus Point win.
After scoring 23 tries in his debut season for the Blue and Blacks and five this season, I caught up with Dewi as he gave me his thoughts ahead of Saturday’s game.
His thoughts on the Swansea game:
He said: “Rugbys a tough game, you win some and lose some.
“But we had a great training week heading into the Swansea game and put what we did on the training pitch into the game”, he added.
His thoughts ahead of Aberavon:
He said: “Aberavon are always a tough team to play, they are very physical upfront.
“We’ve just got to focus on us and play to our terms.
“We have 10 games on the bounce now so it’s going to be a tough few months but if we stick together as a team we won’t go far wrong with the results.”
Team News:
Arron Pinches makes a return to inside centre after being on the sidelines as Head Coach, Steve Law makes four changes to his starting XV that faced The Whites.
21-year-old, Rhys Barrett replaces Ollie Evans at Loosehead, as he starts his second game of the season, and his 30th in a Blue and Blacks Shirt. Captain Morgan Allen returns to the starting XV after being picked on the bench last time out in place of Mackenzie Martin.
Law makes another change to the backline, as Joe Williams replaces Tom Habberfield at scrum half.
Cardiff Starting XV: 15. Matty Young, 14. Joe Goodchild, 13. Luke Pollock, 12. Arron Pinches, 11. Dewi Cross, 10. Arwel Robson, 9. Joe Williams, 1. Rhys Barrett, 2. Joey Tomlinson, 3. Christian Brooke, 4. Sean Moore, 5. Ethan Phillips, 6. Craig Hudd, 7. Lucas De La Rue, 8. Morgan Allen (C)
Replacements: 16. Alun Rees, 17. Ollie Evans, 18. Freddie Barnes, 19. Shaun O’Rourke, 20. Nathan Hudd, 21. Morgan Oliver, 22. Harrison James, 23.Jacob Lloyd
Steve Law’s men travelled to St Helen’s to take on Swansea in the 9th round of the Indigo Premiership and it was the Blue and Blacks that came away with the points as two of their three tries were scored by Joey Tomlinson.
Prior to kick-off there was a minute of reflection for Swansea’s Schoolboys stalwart Ian Milne who sadly passed away aged 79. With a lot of rain falling overnight it made the St Helen’s turf very soft and meant the ball was very slippery.
However, with the forecast clear for the afternoon Joe Thomas got the game underway. Thomas kicked the ball slightly too far and hard as it rolled itself over the dead ball line with Cardiff returning back to the halfway line for a scrum.
Cardiff broke the deadlock just after the 10 minute mark with a cross field kick from Arwel Robson. Dewi Cross successfully gathered the ball and offloaded to Luke Pollock who then cut back into field and passed it to Tom Habberfield who scored the first try of the afternoon. This was also the 31-year-olds first try of the season.
Minutes later referee Rhys Jones awarded the Blue and Blacks a penalty just outside Swansea’s 22, Arwel Robson kicked into the corner. After regathering at the lineout, a powerful driving maul followed with captain Joey Tomlinson crossing for the second try of the afternoon and also his first of the season.
With the majority of ball possesion being in favour of the away side for the first 20 minutes, Swansea began to make life difficult for the Blue and Blacks. Swansea decided to kick the ball from around the halfway line deep into Cardiff’s 22, and it was a well measured kick as winger Dewi Cross took it back over Cardiff’s line resulting in a 5 metre scrum for The Whites.
Throughout the entire first half The Blue and Blacks defence was like a brick wall as Swansea could not get through. On his 60th appearance for the club, Sean Moore relieved pressure for the Blue and Blacks after The Whites were penalised for holding on. Later on in the first half young Mackenzie Martin did the same.
This pattern continued for the home side as every time they entered Cardiff’s 22 they either knocked the ball on or had it turned over. This resulted in The Whites being pointless going into the break at St Helen’s.
HT: Swansea 0-12 Cardiff
Cardiff started second strongly with 26-year-old Arwel Robson keeping the scoreboard ticking over with a brilliant penalty kick. Later on skipper Joey Tomlinson crossed Swansea’s line from another driving maul for his second and put the Blue and Blacks 22 points clear just after the 50 minute mark.
The Whites weren’t going away quietly as they kept coming forward and this soon paid off with replacement Ieuan Bissell crossing for the home side’s first try of the afternoon.
It didn’t stop there after great build up play from winger Matthew Jenkins, he set up Morgan Morse who made an unbelievable run from around the halfway line to cross for The Whites second try of the afternoon.
After a competitive final quarter with both sides sharing possession, The Blue and Blacks went hunting for that first bonus point win since Bridgend away. After numerous kicks into the corner and pressurising Swansea’s tryline, a misplacement with the ball meant referee Rhys Jones blew the final whistle.
Up next for the Blue and Blacks is a home game against the Welsh Wizards, Aberavon next Saturday.
Cardiff Starting XV:
15. Matty Young, 14. Joe Goodchild, 13. Luke Pollock, 12. Harrison James, 11. Dewi Cross, 10. Arwel Robson, 9. Tom Habberfield, 1. Ollie Evans, 2. Joey Tomlinson (C), 3. Christian Brooke, 4. Sean Moore, 5. Ethan Phillips, 6. Craig Hudd, 7. Lucas de la Rua, 8. Mackenzie Martin
Replacements: 16. Alun Rees, 17. Brynley Toms, 18. Jack Wiggins, 19. Morgan Allen, 20. Ioan Pascoe, 21. Joe Williams, 22. Jacob Lloyd, 23. Kodie Stone
Tries: Tom Habberfield (10), Joey Tomlinson (14, 54)
Conversions: Arwel Robson (10, 54)
Pens: Arwel Robson (43)
Swansea Starting XV:
15. Brandon Wood, 14. Matthew Jenkins, 13. Gareth O. Rees, 12. Marcus Brown, 11. Morgan Rees, 10. Joe Thomas, 9. Gareth J. Rees, 1. Freddie Chapman, 2. Jamie Cox, 3. Ed Thompson, 4. Lewis Jones, 5. Matt Dodd, 6. Joe Greaves, 7. Callum Bowden (C) 8. Morgan Morse
Liverpudlian Nick Ball (18-0-0) goes toe-to-toe with former world champion Isaac Dogboe (24-3-0) in the main event at the AO Arena this Saturday night in Manchester.
After coming off a one of his biggest wins at Wembley Stadium against Isaac Lowe, Ball has gone on a three fight winning streak beating Nathanael Kakololo, Jesus Ramirez Rubio and Ludumo Lamati all by stoppages.
However, in front of the man from Liverpool is a bloke that has been there and done it, Dogboe is a former Bantamweight champion of the world.
The Ghanan born fighter is coming off a Unanimous Decision defeat to Robeisy Ramirez back in April.
Writers Thoughts:
This is probably the biggest test so far for Nick Ball in his career and it is going to be an interesting affair. I think that Ball will come out on top after a long hard 12 rounds.
Another fight to look forward to on this card is between Denzel Bentley and Nathan Heaney.
The big ticket seller from Stoke-on-Trent is currently unbeaten and his last victory came back in March where he beat Jack Flatley via unanimous decision.
Denzel meanwhile lost back in November of last year to Janibek Alimkhanuly via decision in Las Vegas.
He has bounced back since, to win the British Middleweight Championship for the second time against Kieran Smith in April, and avenged his loss to Felix Cash who stopped the Londoner in the third round in York Hall in 2021 where he unsuccessfully defended the British title.
Writers Views:
Bentley is a very hard hitting fighter, I think Heaney is going to be in a whole world of trouble and the fight will be over before the championship rounds.
Other fights to look out for on the Card:
Ekow Essuman is looking to make that next big step from domestically to world level as he defends the British and Commonwealth titles against Harry Scarf. Unbeaten Essuman has held both titles since 2021.
Liam Davies defends his European title against Vincenzo La Femina after an impressive 18 months of being Champion.
Hannah Rankin can hold both the WBO and WBC title if she beats Slovenian Ema Kozin.
Newly signed Queensberry fighter Solomon Dacres makes his TNT Sports as he defends his English Heavyweight title against unbeaten Michael Webster.
HTSPORTSNEWS 