Cardiff RFC fall to their second consecutive defeat as Ebbw Vale claimed a 60-20 victory.
A hat-trick from replacement Ieuan Morris was accompanied by crosses from Ethan Phillips, Joe Franchi, Morgan Richards, Ewan Bowden, Sion Parry and a penalty try saw the Steelmen defend their Super Rygbi Cymru Challenger Shield.
Joe Goodchild on his 72nd appearance for the club bagged himself a brace with brilliant finishes in the corner.
Whilst Gavin Parry scored his second of the season with Lloyd Lucas kicking five points from the tee at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium.
Speaking after a disappointing afternoon, head coach Dan Fish said: “Just really disappointing really.
“For the first 36 minutes of the game, we were right in the game. It was 17-15 into a strong breeze and we just switched off for four minutes and allowed Ebbw Vale to gain field position through lack of accuracy from ourselves.
“Within the next four minutes we’ve conceded 14 points and a yellow card. To be fair to Ebbw Vale they’re a very good team at what they do and when they get that ball rolling they’re really difficult to stop.
“I just don’t think we could wrestle that momentum back off them today.”
Story Of The Game
With the conditions good and the sun attempting to beam through the murky clouds, former Dragons RFC player Dorian Jones got proceedings underway.
It didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken, as after three minutes the hosts were in front.
The Blue and Blacks were penalised around the breakdown area penalised for not rolling away and Jones calmly slotted the three points.
Almost instantly, the visitors responded. The Steelmen were penalised around halfway and outside half Lucas kicked up into the 22.
Lucas de la Rua successfully gathered at the lineup and from a dominant driving maul, hooker Parry crossed for his second of the season.
Lucas’ boot was instrumental in keeping the scoreboard ticking for Fish’s side as he added three points with the hosts penalised for not releasing.
Following this Phillips scored Ebbw Vale’s first before Franchi from a catch and drive scored to put his side into a seven point lead after 25 minutes.
After constant pressure on the hosts’ line for a considerable amount of time and penalties, the Blue and Blacks scored their second.
The ball was spread out wide, after they kept their attack narrow with Goodchild crossing in the corner.
As the half went on referee Ben Breakspear awarded Ebbw Vale a penalty try with Will Davies-King being yellow carded.
Then before halftime fullback, Richards crossed after an offload from try scorer Phillips.
HT: Ebbw Vale 31-15 Cardiff
In what was a competitive start to the second half where both sides had opportunities to score but were unable to capitalise.
Gruff-John Morris was then taken off minutes after coming on with a blood injury, but later returned to the field of play.
New signing Steffan Crimp made his Cardiff RFC debut after replacing Rhys Cummings after 52 minutes.
However, shortly following that the hosts found themselves crossing the whitewash.
Replacement Morris powered his way over. Goodchild minutes later expertly crossed over again in the corner after a lineout.
It must be said it was great work from Cam Tyler-Grocott who regathered well before the ball was spread wide for the winger to score.
In the final 10 minutes Morris then crossed two more times, both from driving mauls.
Within the closing exchanges also crossing the whitewash was Bowden and Parry as Ebbw Vale were triumphant.
FT: Ebbw Vale 60-20 Cardiff