Cardiff RFC made it three wins in a row with a 38-23 win over Bridgend Ravens at The Cardiff Arms Park.
The visitors scored the afternoon’s first points as Jamin Hodgkins converted a penalty kick.
Soon after the referee Adam Jones awarded The Blue and Blacks a penalty just inside their own half, Arwel Robson kicked to the corner putting The Blue and Blacks five metres away from the visitors line.
After successfully gathering at the lineout a powerful driving maul followed, and Alun Rees crossed for the afternoon’s first try for the hosts.
Next, Joe Goodchild kicked upfield after good handling skills through the backline. However the visitors hooker, Evan Yardley took out the 25-year-old, and referee Jones awarded the visitors a yellow card.
Later the home side were awarded a penalty at the scrum, captain Tom Habberfield decided to take another scrum just inside the visitors 22.
With the one-man advantage, Habberfield went blind and drew the defender for Joe Goodchild to cross in the corner for his fourth of the season. Before Yardley could return, flyhalf Hodgkins converted another three points for the visitors.
Bridgend looked to be searching for their first try of the afternoon after a brilliant break from Jordan Collier. With the visitor’s metres out from the try line, inside centre Jason Harries was penalised and awarded a yellow card after not rolling away at the ruck.
With the home side now down to fourteen men, Bridgend kicked to the corner and, after a strong driving maul, The Blue and Black’s defence shined as they held the ball up over the line.
HT: Cardiff 14-6 Bridgend
Just like in the first half, Jamin Hodgkins scored the first points and returned the visitors to within five points.
After brilliant build-up play, Nathan Hudd powered his way over to score the home side’s third try of the game. Soon after with a brilliant cross-field kick, Joe Goodchild successfully gathered and sprinted over the visitor’s line to secure The Blue and Blacks a bonus point.
Just like the previous try, Arwel Robson cross-field kicked the ball, and it bounced up into the hands of Harrison James, who crossed to score on his 50th appearance.
Later on in the half, Chris Williams took the ball quickly from the ruck and sneaked over for the visitor’s first try of the afternoon.
Before the replacement flyhalf, Paul Short could add the extras urgent medical attention was needed for Joey Tomlinson. After being treated Tomlinson ended up getting stretchered off the pitch to a massive applause from the spectators.
Subsequently, Tommy Morgan was the next man to score for the visitors as they looked to finish the afternoon on the front foot. However, after back-to-back penalties inside the Ravens 22 with the clock nearly in red, Harrison James eventually converted the three points, which ended a very comfortable win for The Blue and Blacks.
With the final whistle blown The Blue and Blacks wish a speedy recovery for Joey Tomlinson.
FT: Cardiff 38-23 Bridgend