Cardiff suffer Challenge Cup defeat in Lyon but earn bonus point

Cardiff had to settle for a bonus point after kicking off their European Challenge Cup campaign with a thrilling 37-26 defeat in Lyon.

Matt Sherratt’s side staged a strong second-half comeback as tries from Ellis Bevan and Gabriel Hamer-Webb gave them hope of clawing out an improbable win.

But the French side responded well in the latter stages and a swift response from Esteban Gonzalez, coupled with two penalties from Martin Meliande, ended the visitors’ hopes.

Josh Adams

Cardiff had been up for it from the start with an early Josh Adams try converted by Tinus de Beer putting the Welsh side in front.

Danny Southworth then crossed to restore Cardiff’s advantage after a try from Ethan Dumortier had helped levelled the score, but Dumortier’s second, after a try for Alfred Parisien, ensured the hosts would claim a 17-14 half-time lead.

Lyon looked set to run away with it after Yanis Charcosset extended their lead early in the second half, but when Bevan squeezed over following a strong scrum it sparked the late recovery.