SUNDERLAND 0 – 1 SWANSEA CITY
SWANSEA CITY’S resurgence under interim boss Alan Sheehan continued on Saturday (Apr 12) as a second-half goal from Ben Cabango secured a well-earned away win against play-off-bound Sunderland.

Despite Sunderland having already confirmed their place in the Championship play-offs, the Black Cats were eager to secure a top-four finish – which would guarantee a home tie in the second leg of the semi-finals. Swansea, on the other hand, came into the match in good form, having won their previous two fixtures and all but secured mid-table safety.

It was a balanced opening 45 minutes, with both teams creating chances. Sunderland had the ball in the net through Wilson Isidor, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Swansea’s Lewis O’Brien tested the home keeper on a couple of occasions, and Tommy Watson had a decent opportunity for the hosts, only to be denied by the legs of Swans’ goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux.

The breakthrough came just before the hour mark. A free-kick from Eom Ji-sung was met by Harry Darling, whose header crashed off the crossbar. Cabango reacted first, smashing the rebound into the roof of the net to give Swansea a deserved lead.

Sunderland pushed for an equaliser in the final half hour, with Eliezer Mayenda and Trai Hume both going close. A late penalty shout was waved away by the referee, and despite the hosts’ late pressure, Swansea held firm to claim all three points.

The result keeps Sunderland fourth in the table, 12 points ahead of Bristol City with four games remaining. Swansea move up to 12th – closer to the play-off spots than the relegation zone.

What the managers said:

Sunderland head coach, Regis Le Bris, admitted frustration: “It was a frustrating day. We didn’t create enough clear chances and struggled to find the right rhythm. Credit to Swansea – they were organised and made it difficult for us.”

Swansea City interim boss, Alan Sheehan, praised his players’ resilience: “It’s never easy playing three times in a week, but we started really positively and probably should’ve been ahead earlier. Second half, we had to dig deep and defend our box – and we did that brilliantly.”

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY earned a valuable point in their final away game of the Cymru Premier season with a 1-1 draw against Cardiff Metropolitan University on Friday (April 11).

In a tightly-contested match at Cyncoed Campus, Adam Roscrow gave the home side the lead five minutes before half time, but the Bluebirds drew level in the 68th minute when goalkeeper Kelland Absalom inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

The result strengthens Haverfordwest’s grip on third place, extending their lead over Caernarfon Town to six points with one match remaining. The Canaries would now need to win both of their final fixtures and overturn a 12-goal deficit to leapfrog County in the table.

Few chances, plenty of fight

Both sides pressed with intent from the start, and it was the visitors who threatened first. Kyle Kenniford’s quick footwork opened up space to release Owain Jones, who burst into the box and fired from a tight angle, only to find the side netting.

Cardiff Met responded through experienced winger Eliot Evans, whose deep delivery was met by Ryan Reynolds—his looping header narrowly clearing the bar.

The breakthrough came in the 40th minute after a mix-up at the back. Zac Jones’ attempted clearance struck Barnaby Soady, and the ball fell kindly for a shot that was heading wide—until Roscrow pounced to steer it in at the far post.

Just before the break, Owain Jones had a chance to level, but his shot lacked composure and sailed over.

Own goal levels things up

Cardiff Met came out strongly after the interval, with captain CJ Craven testing Zac Jones from range. At the other end, Rhys Abbruzzese led the charge for Haverfordwest, winning the ball high and making room for a shot that curled wide.

The hosts remained dangerous on the counter, and Zac Jones had to be alert to deny Jac Clay after a midfield error.

Haverfordwest’s persistence finally paid off in the 68th minute in bizarre fashion. A cross from Jacob Owen found Kenniford, whose shot rebounded off the post, struck Absalom, and trickled over the line—giving the Bluebirds a deserved equaliser.

Sensing an opportunity to snatch all three points, Greg Walters surged down the flank and found Ben Ahmun with a low cross, but the substitute’s effort went straight into the arms of the Cardiff Met keeper.

Late pressure from the home side nearly saw them win it when Tom Vincent powered a header goalwards, but Zac Jones pulled off a brilliant reflex save to preserve the point.

Solid season continues

The result means Haverfordwest have lost to just three teams all season—The New Saints, Penybont, and Flint Town United—and head into next weekend’s clash with league leaders TNS full of confidence before turning attention to the European play-offs.

Line-up: Z. Jones, Humphreys (J. Owen 58’), Jenkins, Rees (C), McCarthy, Abbruzzese, Shephard, Walters, Kenniford, Hawkins, O. Jones (Ahmun 58’).
Subs not used: Knott, H. John, Watkins, L. Owen, D. John.

Photo:

Keeper’s nightmare: Absalom’s own goal helped Haverfordwest secure a draw (Pic by John Smith/FAW)

FRANCE 42-12 WALES

WALES produced a gutsy performance in Brive but were ultimately overpowered by a slick French outfit, who remain unbeaten in the Women’s Six Nations and on course for a Grand Slam decider against England.

The home side ran in six tries, including a brace for returning wing Emilie Boulard, while Wales crossed twice through Kate Williams and Gwen Crabb.

Despite trailing just 21-12 at the break, Wales couldn’t contain the French pack in the second half, with further scores from Manae Feleu, Lea Champon and a penalty try widening the gap.

It was another step forward under new head coach Sean Lynn, whose side showed fight and flair in patches—but Wales’ long wait for a win in France goes on.

Determined start from Wales

After a gruelling 13-hour journey, Wales showed no early signs of fatigue. In front of a vocal crowd of 13,000, they started brightly but were undone early on when Carla Arbez’s kick found Boulard in acres of space for the opening try.

Wales responded quickly, earning territory from a high tackle on Jenni Scoble. After sustained pressure near the French line, Williams crashed over—her second try in as many matches.

France answered with a second for Boulard, before Crabb forced her way over from close range to keep the visitors in touch.

However, with the clock in the red, Manon Bigot burst through from a set piece to extend the hosts’ lead to 21-12.

French forwards take control

The second half proved tougher for Wales. Feleu’s score shortly after the restart secured France the bonus point and began a dominant 40 minutes for the home team.

Wales did threaten—Carys Cox stormed down the wing and Courtney Keight found a gap—but an obstruction at the line-out denied them a vital score.

Fly-half Kayleigh Powell was temporarily withdrawn for a head injury assessment, forcing Bevan to shift to 10 and Sian Jones to cover at scrum-half. Powell later returned, a relief given Lleucu George’s absence through injury.

A string of dominant French scrums saw Wales concede a penalty try, with replacement Maisie Davies sent to the sin bin moments after entering play.

Champon added France’s final try, and fly-half Morgane Bourgeois maintained a perfect record from the tee, converting five from five.

Post-match reaction

Wales head coach Sean Lynn praised his team’s effort:

“The girls felt really confident at half-time. It’s a big ask coming here to this crowd and this stadium, but we showed we can compete with the best.
We’ve got to learn to wrest back control when it slips, but I asked them to be brave, and they were.”

France co-captain Manae Feleu said her side was building momentum: “We kept going in the second half, found our rhythm and were happy with how we finished. We’re focused on Italy next before thinking about England.”

France move to the top of the Six Nations table, while Wales will look to take positives into their final fixtures.

Tries
France: Boulard (2), Bigot, Feleu, Champon, Penalty Try
Wales: Williams, Crabb
Conversions
France: Bourgeois (5)
Wales: Bevan (1)

Teams
France: Bourgeois; Arbey, Ménager (c), Amedee, Boulard; Arbez, Bourdon-Sansus; Brosseau, Bigot, Bernadou, Feleu (c), Fall-Raclot, Escudero, Okemba, T. Feleu.
Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Khalfaoui, Zago, Berthoumieu, Champon, Bordes, Queyroi.

Wales: Joyce; Neumann, H. Jones (c), Keight, Cox; Powell, Bevan; G. Pyrs, C. Phillips, Scoble, Fleming, Crabb, Williams, Lewis, Evans.
Replacements: K. Jones, Davies, Rose, John, A. Pyrs, King, S. Jones, Metcalfe.

Referee: Holly Wood (RFU)
Attendance: Approx. 13,000