Final weekend marked the return of the URC and our web site correspondent Darren Powell fills us in on the Welsh aspect’s progress within the competitors.
Cardiff 22-17 Zebre
All of it started on Friday evening in Cardiff as the house aspect secured a gap spherical victory over Zebre.
Full again Cam Winnett opened the scoring by way of a cross subject kick from debutant fly-half Callum Sheedy, who joined from Bristol Bears over the summer time. Zebre had beforehand led 3- 0 earlier than Cardiff opened the rating 10 minutes later.
Cardiff had a second attempt to it was one other debut attempt for winger Iwan Stephens, who joined from Newcastle Falcons over the summer time, once more assisted by the good Sheedy.
Six minutes later, it was one other Cardiff debutant who crossed to open his account for his new aspect as Dan Thomas, the Welshman who had signed from Bristol Bears over the summer time, crossed.
Cardiff led 17-3 on the break. 18 minutes into the second half and it was one other Cardiff debutant, this time former Bathtub participant Josh McAnally who crossed for the house aspect.
Cardiff led 22-3 after 64 minutes. Some fast fingers from a line out inside Zebre’s half noticed centre Giulio Bertaccini cross over for his first attempt in Zebre colors.
Within the 81st minute of the sport quantity 7 for Zebre, Samuele Locatelli scored for the guests.
Dragons 23-21 Ospreys
On Saturday we noticed the primary Welsh derby of the season as The Dragons performed host to the Ospreys. Going into this sport the Ospreys hadn’t gained at Rodney Parade since 2021.
It was 3 – 3 after 20 minutes however then a stunning break by the Ospreys centre Keiran Williams scored the Ospreys’ first attempt of the brand new season.
After 26 minutes some good play noticed Harrison Keddie cross for the primary attempt of the season. It was by way of some pretty fingers and a terrific end by the Dragons quantity six. 33 minutes into the sport and it was 13-13 between each side.
It took the Ospreys 5 minutes into the second half to register the second attempt of the afternoon Ryan Conbeer, the previous Scarlets winger went over for his fourth attempt in Ospreys colors.
That was Conbeers’ fourth attempt in Ospreys colors as he had already scored three tries throughout preseason. Within the 79th minute the Ospreys gave away a penalty contained in the Dragons half. Within the 83rd minute, Luke Yendle crossed to attain the successful attempt to the conversion was good.
The Dragons had lastly gained a gap league fixture for the primary time since 2013.
Benetton 20-20 Scarlets
The final sport of Saturday noticed Benetton tackle the Scarlets and after a scrappy opening 21 minutes, we noticed Benetton rating the primary attempt the sport winger Onisi Ratava.
Thirty minutes in each groups had been nonetheless getting a really feel for the sport with the Scarlets excessive defensive position inflicting Benetton some issues. Rhyno Smith discovered a niche within the Scarlets defence after a stunning break by the ahead and it was Smith who completed off within the broad channel to make it 12-0 after 32 minutes.
Former Bristol scrum-half Andy Uren, was marshalling the forwards Pack nicely when it got here to the crimson zone he introduced his expertise to this Italian aspect.
Simply earlier than the break, 19-year-old Max Web page who was making a Scarlets debut fended off Smith and crossed for the Scarlets. Halftime rating Benetton 12 Scarlets 7.
Benetton struck the primary factors of the second half with a penalty to make it 15-7 to the house aspect. It took the Scarlets 53 minutes to attain their first attempt of the sport when Jarrod Taylor went over from a driving line out.
It was then Ioan Lloyd who added an extended rage penalty to place Scarlets forward for the primary time through the sport at 17-15.
A pleasant line break by scrum-half Gareth Davies preceeded a excessive deal with on the Welsh worldwide which noticed Lloyd kick one other three factors for the Scarlets.
Nonetheless, Ratava scored his second attempt of the sport punishing drained our bodies. The conversion was unsuccessful and it completed with 20 factors every.
Not many groups come away from Benetton as of late with none factors however Scarlets held on for well-known attract Italy.
Written by Darren Powell
