The Archers hadn’t been beaten at home in the tournament since October and were on a five-match winning run, but they were taken down by a late try and a wind-assisted drop goal from Gwyn Parks that is being hailed as the longest in the history of the competition.
The outside half lined-up his shot from a metre inside his own half in the 56th minute and hit the target to bring his side back to within a point. That gave the visitors the belief and impetus to conjure up a try two minutes from time by Cam Taylor that earned them a landmark victory.
“It’s always a tough game up here and we dug in well. The effort at the end when we were defending our line was fantastic,” said a delighted Swansea skipper and No8, Scott Jenkins.
The home side had first use of the elements, yet it was Swansea who notched the first points. Outstanding back row man Cai Davies got over from a close-range ruck and Parks added the extras.
Cardiff Met hit back strongly and managed to notch three tries to go into the break 17-7 ahead before turning around to face the wind and rain. Right wing Brad Denty notched the first, hooker Morgan Nelson and second and full back Joel Broadhurst the third.
Brad Roderick-Evans couldn’t master the tough conditions to land any more than one conversion, but the home side were in a good place at half-time. They needed one more try for a bonus-point and held a 10 point lead.
With the wind in their at their backs, and in their sails, Swansea pegged the Archers back and used the prolific boot of Parks to edge closer and closer to their rivals. Two penalties preceded the monster drop goal and then Taylor came up with his kick and chase try, including a miraculous pick up, to win the game two minutes from time.
A moment to remember. @surfc_official‘s Gwyn Parks with the longest drop goal in BUCS Super Rugby history. 🤯https://t.co/YzjdW0EEyz
— BUCS Super Rugby (@BUCSSuperRugby) February 17, 2022
Parks added the extras from the touchline and a 10 point deficit had been turned into a magnificent six point victory as they held the home side pointless in the second half. The win also moved Swansea up to sixth in the table.
For the Archers it was a huge dent in their hopes of finishing third as Loughborough beat Bath to move four points clear of them with three games to play. Reigning champions Durham and second placed Exeter both continued on their winning streaks and look uncatchable at the top.
The top two teams get home advantage in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, while the teams in third and fourth will have a home game in the quarter-finals.
“We billed it as a bit of a cup final for our lads, but this was bound to happen at some stage. It was the first time we have lost a Welsh derby in BUCS Super Rugby,” said Cardiff Met director of rugby, Danny Milton.
“We are there to be shot at and Swansea took our crown. We will be excited to play them next season.”
Cardiff University had their game against Leeds Beckett at Cardiff Arms Park called off due to safety concerns in the dire weather. They are in eighth and still look set to reach the quarter-finals.
