Josh Adams’ Double Try Performance Secures Cardiff’s Victory Over Cheetahs

Wing Josh Adams, who had previously missed Wales’ summer tour and autumn internationals due to injury, scored two tries, contributing to Cardiff’s European Challenge Cup bonus-point victory against the South African team Cheetahs in Cardiff. This win also marked the return of Taulupe Faletau. The final score was Cardiff 26 (Tries: Adams 2, Bowen, penalty try; Conversions: Sheedy 2) to Cheetahs 10 (Try: de Haas; Conversion: Wentzel; Penalty: Wentzel). Teenage wing Tom Bowen also scored a try on his Cardiff debut, as Cardiff utilized the elements to stage a notable second-half comeback. The Cheetahs had dominated the first half, leading 10-5 at half-time, before Cardiff responded by scoring 21 unanswered points. Cardiff has now climbed to second position in Pool One and is scheduled to travel to face Perpignan in January before hosting Connacht. The Cheetahs are still seeking their first win in the competition, having drawn with Perpignan last weekend. This match marked only the second appearance of 2024 for Cardiff and Wales number eight, Taulupe Faletau. Faletau, the Wales number eight, delivered an impressive performance during his 52 minutes on the field. This was his first game in eight months, following a broken shoulder sustained against Ulster in April and a subsequent calf problem. Faletau was among 11 changes made to the Cardiff squad since their opening Challenge Cup loss in Lyon, a match where Matt Sherratt’s team secured a losing bonus point. Captain and hooker Liam Belcher returned after a three-month absence, and 18-year-old academy graduate Bowen made his debut. Faletau initiated his performance with a powerful break from a scrum deep within his own territory and also executed a crucial tackle to prevent a Cheetahs attack. Bowen was instrumental in setting up the first try, making a strong run down the left flank before the ball was shifted, allowing Adams to break through for the initial score, which occurred contrary to the flow of play. The Cheetahs may have been hampered by the loss of centre Ali Mgijima and flankers Oupa Mohoje and Gideon van der Merwe to injury within the first 20 minutes, yet they maintained their dominance in terms of territory and possession. Their sustained pressure ultimately resulted in a well-executed play down the left side, which de Haas completed with a try. Wentzel successfully converted the try and then added a long-range penalty, securing a five-point lead for the Cheetahs at half-time. During the first 40 minutes, Cardiff recorded just under 100 tackles. In the second half, with the wind aiding them, Cardiff captain Belcher executed a powerful break, creating the opportunity for Bowen to score. Faletau was among three Wales players substituted, with James Botham and Ben Thomas also being replaced, though these changes had minimal impact on the game’s progression. Cardiff opted against an apparently straightforward kick at goal, instead choosing an attacking line-out, which they subsequently lost. However, replacement flanker Alex Mann then provided a surge that enabled Adams to score his second try. Cardiff’s driving line-out became effective, leading to Cheetahs replacement prop Rob Hunt being shown a yellow card. The visitors then conceded a penalty try, which secured the bonus-point score for Cardiff. Adams caused a brief concern for Cardiff and Wales supporters when he received late treatment, but he remained on the field until the conclusion of the match. Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt commented: “Job done pretty much sums it up and we have been saying that a fair bit over the last three or four weeks.” He added: “We made 11 changes and they are a good side as well, very physical and strong at the breakdown.” Sherratt further stated: “It was a very strange first half where the territory stats were 90% in their favour and we could not exit out of that wind.” He concluded: “It was probably going to take around 60 minutes until we broke them down. It was about getting the five match points tonight.” The Cardiff lineup included: Winnett; Adams, Lee-Lo, B Thomas, Bowen; Sheedy, A Davies; Domachowski, Belcher (captain), Davies-King, McNally, T Williams, Botham, D Thomas, Faletau. Replacements were: Hughes, Southworth, Assiratti, S Davies, Mann, Lawrence, Mulder, Jennings. The Cheetahs team comprised: Annies; Hartzenberg, Coetzee, Mgijima, Jasper; Wentzel, de Haas; Ferreira, L van der Westhuizen, Coetzee, Wegner, Sekekete (captain), G van der Merwe, Mohoje, Rudolph. Replacements were: Paulo, van Wyk, Hunt, Uys, Olivier, Maartens, Kruger, Lourens. Key match officials and disciplinary actions were: Sin-bin: Hunt (68th minute). Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU). Assistant referees: Andrew Cole & Sam Holt (IRFU). TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU).