It’s Christmas with a dash of festive derbies. The question now is: will it be a repeat or revenge at the newly named Electric Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon (KO: 14:30)?
Cardiff RFC will look to conclude 2025 on a high as they aim for back-to-back victories against Bridgend Ravens.
The Blue and Blacks head into the encounter following an impressive 49-12 six-point bonus point victory last weekend.
In what was a closely contested match throughout 30 minutes, as Alun Rees and Ben Fry scored, the game ebbed and flowed during that period thanks to crosses from Ben Burnell and McCauley Rowley.
But, in the closing exchanges of the first half, Ieuan Davies scored with Fry crossing for his second, as Cardiff went into a hard-fought 28-12 lead.
Then, after an ill-disciplined and pointless final 40 by Bridgend, scores from Osian Darwin-Lewis, debutant Tom Howe, and Joe Williams sealed the victory at the Cardiff Arms Park for the Blue and Blacks emphatically.
Cardiff RFC Team News vs Bridgend Ravens:
1. Ed Byrne
2. Tom Howe
3. Will Davies-King
4. Craig Hudd (C)
5. Sean Moore
6. Lucas de la Rua
7. Nathan Hudd
8. Evan Rees
9. Ieuan Davies
10. Harri Wilde
11. Iwan Stephens
12. Steff Emanuel
13. Osian Darwin-Lewis
14. Elijah Evans
15. Matty Young
Replacements:
16. Alun Rees
17. Ioan Emanuel
18. Joe Cowell
19. Aled Ward
20. Ben Fry
21. Sion Davies
22. Tom Williams
23. Dewi Cross
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Speaking ahead of the encounter, head coach Dan Fish said: “After a good win last Saturday, we go to Bridgend full of confidence.
“We know what areas we have targeted going into the game, but with a one-day training week, it’s going to be all about us putting our game on them.
“We let a few opportunities slip last weekend, and we know we won’t be able to do that down there on Saturday.
“We hope all the fans have a good Christmas and look forward to seeing them down Bridgend on the 27th, full of turkey.”
Remember the last meeting at the Brewery Field?
The pair last met in Bridgend back in April of this year, as the Blue and Blacks crossed the whitewash on five occasions.
Elijah Evans impressively touched down with only a matter of minutes on the clock, whilst Joe Goodchild and Matty Young all scored before the half-time whistle.
Then second-half crosses from Ethan Lloyd and Aled Ward, accompanied by outside-half Harri Wilde on the latter’s score, added the extras, saw Cardiff record a 29-14 triumph.
For those unable to make it to the Electric Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon, you can stay up-to-date with live updates across all Cardiff RFC social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram).