Cardiff’s Samoan international lock Filo Paulo was sent-off two minutes from time for a reckless clear-out on Andrew Waite at a breakdown as the Premiership leaders saw their lead at the top of the table cut to seven points.
The Blues giant was making his Cardiff debut in the top of the table clash and he had already picked up a yellow card for a shoulder charge on Aled Thomas that floored the Wizards No 10. Cardiff managed to score a late try without him, but Joe Scrivens couldn’t convert to claim the draw with the last kick of the match.
It meant Aberavon threw the title race back into the melting pot as they avenged their one point defeat at the Arms Park. The Wizards are in third place, one behind Carmarthen Quins, who have played one game more, and eight behind the Blue & Blacks.
“We knew that if we’d lost this game then it would probably have handed the title to Cardiff. It is now very interesting and it is anyone’s to one,” said Aberavon head coach Jason Hyatt.
“I was surprised they played so little rugby, but I’m really proud of the way my players went about their business. It was another very good game between two really good sides.”
Aberavon found themselves trailing by 10 points in the first quarter before they had really started to find their feet. Cardiff thwarted the Wizards’ first attempt at a driving line-out and then scored from their initial attempt.
Gareth Thompson kicked deep into the home 22 from a penalty and after the line-drive had been held just short, Gareth Thompson found wing Terri Gee racing into the line on his shoulder and he raced to the posts for a try that his outside half improved.
Thompson then added a penalty for another scrum penalty against Jenkins and the league leaders were well on their way. They could have stretched their lead if Nathan Hudd had passed to Iestyn Harris after a neat front of the line peel, but the back rower drove into the last man and lost the chance.
Aberavon grew into the game and looked the more dangerous behind the scrum. Full back Jonny Phillips was a constant threat and the alarm bells were ringing when he fielded a lengthy drop out from the Blue & Blacks on his 10 metre line after Aled Thomas had surprisingly missed a 30 metre penalty attempt.
His junking run broke the first line of defence and he sent former Wales Sevens star Lloyd Evans into space. The flanker sped ahead and then gave Chay Smith a clear run to the line. This time Thomas hit the mark and then levelled things up just before the break with a wide-angled penalty.
Thompson edged Cardiff back in front with a superb strike from 45 metres after a turn-over penalty at a ruck, but their lead was put under threat when giant Samoan lock Filo Paulo was sent to the sin-bin for a shoulder charge on Aled Thomas.
It wasn’t until the last minute of his 10 on the sideline that Aberavon finally made their extra man count, but by then they were well on top. Only desperate Cardiff defence kept out the Wizards’ fleet-footed backs after a clever short line-out move, but they couldn’t hold up Geraint James from close range as the prop barged over for a rare score.
Thomas converted and then added a penalty to leave the visitors chasing the game in the final 10 minutes. Gee ran in his second try in the final move of the match, but Joe Scrivens pushed his conversion attempt wide of the mark.
