Cardiff points machine Gareth Davies came to the rescue with an injury-time drop goal an injury to give the Blue and Blacks a hard fought 22-20 victory over Neath in a Principality Premiership clash at the Arms Park.
The visitors looked to have done enough to win when former Welsh fly half Arwel Thomas banged over a penalty in the 82nd minute but they didn’t count on Cardiff’s never say die spirit. Cardiff steam rolled down the other end of the pitch to set up the lethal Davies who obliged with the crucial three-pointer.
Cardiff have now secured seven wins on the trot against Neath but had to overcome a rearguard effort from the visitors. The home side led 13-3 at the break after taking full advantage of Gareth Gravell’s incarceration in the sin bin.
But Neath hit back in the second half to lead 17-13 before Cardiff edged back in front in trying conditions.
Dean Ryan was on Davies’s shoulder to score by the posts and with Davies’s conversion, on top of his two earlier penalty goals against one from Thomas, gave his side that 10-point lead at the break.
A penalty try and a touchdown by prop Anthony Lott made spiced up the scoreline and with Davies and Thomas duelling with their boot to bang over two penalties apiece, the Neath star appeared to have the points for the Welsh All Blacks, but Davies had other ideas.
