Openside Nathan Hudd grabbed a try on his 80th appearance but a second half comeback from Pontypool RFC saw the hosts claim the spoils.
Joe Goodchild, Ethan Lloyd and Joe Williams also crossed which meant the Blue and Blacks secured top spot of Super Rygbi Cymru despite a frustrating afternoon at Pontypool Park for Dan Fish’s men.
With the overnight rain being no more, playing conditions were perfect for both sides. It was the hosts who started the quicker with a penalty kick from Kieran Meek, despite the visitors having back-to-back penalties early on.
Pooler were then reduced to 14-men as referee, Matthew Leon awarded former Cardiff player Morgan Allen a yellow card for being offside. Harri Wilde then kicked into the corner and from the resulting catch and drive, Nathan Hudd crossed for his third try of the season as the Blue and Blacks went into the lead after 15 minutes.
Five minutes later, the Blue and Blacks showed some brilliant handling skills as Kodie Stone offloaded back inside for Joe Goodchild to show his pace and crossover to extend his sides early lead. Wilde’s boot was instrumental in extending the visitor’s lead even more as he slotted three from the boot, which meant proceedings were 13-3 prior to the half an hour mark.
The hosts did however respond accordingly as openside, Ryan Jones broke through the Blue and Blacks defence and put Pooler upfield. Then after some quick offloads out wide fullback, Harry Jarvis scored. Moments later for the second time in the encounter the hosts found themselves down to 14-men again as scrum-half, Morgan Lloyd was sent off for ten minutes after a deliberate knock on.
Wilde then kicked to the corner, and after a successful take at the lineout, Ethan Lloyd broke away and crossed the whitewash to score his sixth try of the season. The hosts immediately following this were on the hunt for their second of the afternoon after Dragons RFC’s, Steve Cummins put them metres from the whitewash. However, after some heroic defending back row, Lucas de la Rua brilliantly turned the ball over which relieved pressure on the Blue and Blacks. The hosts again were close to the Cardiff line, but this time around referee Leon, awarded returning Cam Tyler-Grocott a yellow card,
After some more pressure on the Blue and Blacks defence, Scott Matthews found his way over to conclude an entertaining opening 40 minutes.
HT: Pontypool 17-20 Cardiff
The hosts started the second half the better as after returning from his yellow card, Morgan Lloyd scored Pooler’s third of the afternoon. On 47 minutes Pontypool thought they scored their fourth of the encounter but referee, Leon disallowed the try due to a tip tackle in the ruck and outside half, Wilde kicked to relieve pressure.
This was however followed by Kieran Meek slotting a trio of penalties which put Pooler into a 13 point lead going into the final quarter. The one sided theme of the second half continued into the closing moments as replacement, Adam Stratton crossed for the hosts fourth of the contest.
The Blue and Blacks did respond on 75 minutes as Joe Williams brilliantly blocked a clearance kick and regathered to score his fourth try of the season. This was followed by Pontypool scoring their fifth of the afternoon as Harry Jarvis bagged his brace which meant Pooler gained revenge from their meeting earlier in the season over Cardiff.
The Blue and Blacks will now have a week off before they return to action as they will host the winner of Wild Card Game 1 in Quarter Final 1.
FT: Pontypool 47-27 Cardiff