With an exciting introduction by the Cardiff Snakecharmers Team, the Cardiff Cobras were determined not only to beat Swansea, but ensure they kept as much room between the two teams’ scores as possible.
Despite the Cobra’s unwavering confidence coming into the game, Wales Varsity’s American Football score history is surprisingly mixed. Looking at Gair Rhydd’s pre-Covid statistics, from 2015 onwards, the Wales’ teams have been in tight competition. Before 2020, Swansea frequently dominated the Welsh Varsity American Football scene— a fact that the team has worked hard to change over the last few years.
These raised ambitions have been prompted by Cardiff Cobras’ Head Coach Shaun Vaughn, who draws on his experience with the Bristol Aztecs and GB U19. Having reversed their history of losses, Cardiff’s American Football Society now comfortably take on Swansea each year at Varsity: a legacy which this year’s match helped develop.
With a kickoff from the Cardiff Cobras, the first quarter of the game began. While the crowd remained interested and attentive during what can often be an intermittent, on-and-off game, the Cobras allowed little intrigue as to the final score. At half time, the score sat at 21-12 to Cardiff, with Swansea having scored two touchdowns and sitting at nine points below the Cobras. In speaking to members of Cardiff’s team and management, it was clear that for many Cobra players, this half-time advantage was not enough— they wanted to win in the most dominant fashion possible.
In a post-match interview with Vaughn, he revealed that the Cobras entered the game with the hope of preventing the Titans from scoring any points altogether.
For them, merely winning wasn’t the goal, and instead they wanted the quality of the game to reflect the Cobra’s growth as a team.
Two hours into the game, it was clear that the Cobras wouldn’t allow the Titans to make any more touchdowns, with the score reflecting this at 36-12 to Cardiff. As the final quarter came to an end, Cardiff excitedly celebrated their victory with a score of 37-12. Energised by their success and contribution to Cardiff’s impending 2026 win of the Welsh varsity shield, team morale was high. Chants could be heard by any remaining supporters on the sidelines— ‘if you ain’t Swansea, shoes off!’
Speaking to Shawn Vaughn, he also told Gair Rhydd of a few names that deserved extra attention and celebration for their performance in the match. Oliver Luck (number Eighteen), Louis Reece and George Owen (the Cobra’s defence), all stood out for their effort and perseverance despite the game not playing out how they had imagined.
Although some team members might have hoped for a cleaner victory, the Cobras won comprehensively, which their excitement and scoreline reflected. A massive congratulations for their hard work through a long match against the competitive Titans.