Cardiff advanced to the semi-finals of the Premiership Cup with an emphatic victory over Carmarthen Quins
The Blue and Blacks were first on the scoreboard with an early penalty by Jacob Beetham, but the Quins were soon on the board themselves. With the home side attacking an interception near the Quins 22 metre line led to a charge upfield. Only a desperate tackle near the Cardiff line stopped the first runner, but Josh Batcup was on hand to cross, Jac Wilson converted.
Cardiff hit back in style. A couple of penalties had given the home side great field position, and when the ball was moved wide Dan Fish found an overlap and put Beetham over for an unconverted try. The fullback extended the advantage a few minutes later with a penalty.
It got better for the Blue & Blacks just before half time as they worked their way down field Ryan Wilkins and Max Llewellyn combined to put Jamie Hill over. Beetham converted for an 18-7 half time lead.
The first period of the second half was quite a cagey affair with both sides looking to take advantage. But it was the home side who were to prove the stronger. Two penalties had pushed Cardiff within a few metres of the Quins line and from the lineout replacement hooker Keiron Assaratti was at the back of a maul to crash over. The hooker got his second a few minutes later, Another short-range maul headed towards the Quins line but was stopped short. Assaratti picked up the ball off the floor and powered over. Beetham converted both and was later named man of the match.
But it was a player who had had a massive influence on the game who had the last word, or near enough. Having switched to the wing Fish was on hand to intercept a final Quins pass on the Cardiff line and race the length of the field. The only player to get anywhere near him was replacement scrum half Ethan Lloyd, who earned his club tie with his 20th appearance. Fish went under the posts but unselfishly popped the ball to Lloyd to dot down. Beetham added the extras and the Blue & blacks were in the draw for the next round.
Pre-Match Interview
Ollie Drake
Post-Match Interviews
Ethan Lloyd
Jacob Beetham