Over 14,750 spectators saw Swansea University collect the Welsh Varsity Trophy from Dennis Gethin, President of the Welsh Rugby Union.

After conceding two early penalties, which gave Cardiff a 6-0 lead, Swansea quickly found their rhythm. Tries by Henry Boot (no 5), Aled Lewis (no 10), Tom Rowlands (no 9) and Dan George (no 8) were all converted by the accurate Aled Lewis. Although Cardiff scored two converted tries, the Swansea team proved too strong for them.

Swansea's captain, Rhodri Clancy, was delighted with the result. He said: "It's such a great feeling. After the first twenty minutes or so, we knew we were going to be in for a tough, physical match. Year after year, Varsity is the highlight of the season, but it is also such a difficult match to play. Cardiff threw everything at us but we managed to see them off.

"I'm proud of the team for putting on a great performance tonight, and I have to say that the support of the crowd was immense. It's good to be bringing the trophy back to Swansea for the tenth time!"

Speaking after the match, Dennis Gethin, President of the Welsh Rugby Union, said: "The Welsh Varsity Rugby Match is a fantastic advertisement for the game of rugby football. It has been a pleasure to host the match at the Millennium Stadium, and I extend my congratulations to both teams for a marvellous exhibition."

Swansea University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard B Davies, said: " The Varsity match provided an unforgettable display of pride, passion, skill, tenacity, and determination on the pitch. If there is any better advertisement for university sport and sporting rivalry, I have yet to see it.  Both teams can be proud that they gave us a game to remember."

Richard Lancaster, Head Coach of the Swansea team and General Manager of the University's Athletic Union, said: "Varsity is an incredible occasion, and there is always so much pressure on the teams to deliver for their universities. Cardiff took the game to us from the outset, and they gave us a good match. In the end, we took our chances and scored four pretty good tries.

"It has been an unforgettable evening, and a genuine honour to play at the Millennium Stadium, the home of Welsh rugby. I am truly grateful for all the support we have received from the WRU and the Stadium, as well as from our sponsors. Without them, Varsity couldn't be the inspirational occasion it has become.

I've always said that the Welsh Varsity is a superb example of how the student community can come together to show support for their universities, and pride in cities they study in. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Cancer Wales, so the students who support the Varsity are also helping a very worthwhile cause."

The Swansea University staff and students' man of the match award was presented by the University's Registrar, Raymond Ciborowski, to Swansea number eight, Daniel George.

The Welsh Varsity Challenge

The Welsh Varsity Challenge, now in its fifteenth year, is the biggest student event in Wales and is the second largest of the British Varsity Games, behind the Oxford/Cambridge game. Swansea University has now won ten of the fifteen encounters, and drawn one of them.

The match itself is the culmination of a day-long competition that sees the universities competing for the Varsity Shield in over 25 different sports, from basketball, golf, and hockey to fencing, squash and even Ultimate Frisbee. Cardiff University won the Shield, although there were some memorable wins for Swansea, including a thrilling drop-goal shootout to decide the outcome of the Freshers' Rugby match.

The match sponsors were Endsleigh Insurance, Coca-Cola, and the RAF. Other sponsors of Swansea University included BP, Poundland, and Odyssey Nightclub.

Swansea's top 10

1997 Swansea 23 - 11 Cardiff
1998 Swansea 49 - 13 Cardiff
1999 Swansea 13 - 7 Cardiff
2000 Swansea 28 - 18 Cardiff
2001 Cardiff 10 - 10 Swansea
2002 Cardiff 21 - 3 Swansea
2003 Swansea 18 - 12 Cardiff
2004 Swansea 25 - 11 Cardiff
2005 Swansea 16 - 8 Cardiff
2006 Cardiff 15 - 5 Swansea
2007 Swansea 18 - 0 Cardiff
2008 Cardiff 19 - 9 Swansea
2009 Cardiff 9 - 6 Swansea
2010 Swansea 16 - 12 Cardiff
2011 Cardiff 18 - 28 Swansea

This news item has been generated by Chris Marshall, Swansea University Press Office, Tel: +44 (0) 1792 513190 or email c.g.marshall@swansea.ac.uk