Despite a spirited performance and comeback, GCS were unable to steal the win and keep their second place in the group
It was a quiet start to the match as the teams settled in tothe game with both sides having possession but with the ball mostly going back and fore across field instead of forward, chances were few and far between.
There were 22 minutes on the clock before Cardiff and Vale took advantage of a GCS mistake to get the scoring underway. George Mbofana, on the attack for the home team, threw the ball backwards as he was tackled but the only person there to collect was the opposition who ran it all the way from their own half to get the first converted try of the game.
CAVC were buoyed by the score and quickly became the dominant force in the match. Despite a yellow card a few minutes later, they also got the next points on the board again with a successful penalty kick.
Gower College made very little of their one man advantage and kicked the ball away repeatedly, allowing Cardiff and Vale to make ground. With the visitors powering at the try line Sam James for Gower was shown a yellow for not rolling away and with both teams down to 14 men Cardiff made short work of sliding over for try number two. Another successful conversion extending their lead to 18 points.
In the dying seconds of the first half Gower College had their best chance at a score of their own. They built their play and ran well to put themselves into contention. There was just one pass to Mbofana, who was unmarked and would've almost certainly run in for the try, to complete but CAVC knocked the ball on. Much to the Gower coaches and supporters dismay, the referee decided it was not deliberate and only issued a warning.
HT: Gower College Swansea 0 - 18 Cardiff and Vale College
There was a more exciting start to the second half as both teams came within feet of the try line in the first few minutes. CAVC's chance being ruined as they were penalised for holding on while Gower were turned over again as they tried to power their way through the visitors defence.
Cardiff and Vales' defence was a constant problem for Gower as they tried to make ground in the second half. As soon as a GCS player received a ball the visitors were on them tackling so they struggled to move the ball forward. Cardiff picked up a second yellow card with 10 minutes played and this time Gower did manage to take advantage. Some good passing and teamwork finally prevailed for them and Mbofana broke through in the corner to score. The conversion attempt however went wide.
As well as the home teams attacking play improving, so did their defensive work. They held out what looked like a certain try for Cardiff after the visitors were awarded a 5m scrum in GCS's half. Despite several more Cardiff and Vale turnovers GCS eventually found themselves back on the front foot. Mbofana picked up the ball and managed another of his storming runs up the wing before Tom Howell completed the move. With Howell unable to convert his own try, GCS still trailed by 6 points.
CAVC seemed determined to put some points between the two sides again and just a minute after Gower's try they raced over to score their own try, theirs however was converted.
With ten minutes to go in the game the CAVC player who had earlier been shown a yellow, received another and the resulting red card gave Gower College some hope. After being held out and turned over GCS found their way back into the Cardiff and Vale 22 and Callum Carson raced over. Despite Howell's conversion attempt again going wide, the home side had again brought themselves back into contention and within a converted try.
Gower College's chance to again take advantage of having an extra man was however short lived. A fight between all 29 players on the pitch broke out and when the referee eventually regained control of the game he showed Jamie Sturgess a straight red for his part in the melee.
Back to an even amount of players on the field, Cardiff again showed their superior attacking skills and despite GCS defending hard they eventually used an overlap to slip through for a converted try with the last play of the game.
FT: Gower College Swansea 20 - 34 Cardiff and Vale College