Cardiff RFC fall short of Super Rygbi Cymru final after defeat to Newport RFC
After finishing in pole position at the end of the regular season, the Blue and Blacks concluded their 2024-25 season with a 35-20 defeat to Newport at a humid Cardiff Arms Park.
First half crosses from Ethan Lloyd and Elijah Evans was accompanied by outside-half, Lloyd Lucas kicking 10 points from the tee. This proved not to be enough as a second half resurgence from the Black and Ambers saw them into the Final against Ebbw Vale next Sunday.
There was one late change to the starting XV for Cardiff with Mackenzie Martin being replaced by Benji Williams as Kodie Stone came onto the bench. With all that said and done Player of the Match, Jac Lloyd got the semi-final encounter underway.
Outside-half, Lloyd Lucas at just 18-years-old made his first start as a Cardiff RFC player at the Arms Park, and made an immediate impression. After just five minutes, he brilliantly slotted the opening points of the afternoon from the halfway line.
This was then followed by the first score of the contest, which came from a brilliant break by Osian Darwin-Lewis. The outside-centre after putting his side metres from the visitors whitewash offloaded to Ethan Lloyd to score his sixth of the season. This cross also means the scrum-half has now scored 50 points for the Blue and Blacks.
Minutes later, the visitors put immediate pressure on the Blue and Blacks’ defence, but Elijah Evans who was playing on the wing for only the second time this season made a brilliant try-saving tackle. Shortly after that, some heroic defending on the line was on show from the hosts which resulted in them turning the ball over.
However, on the 30-minute mark Dafydd Buckland offloaded to Iestyn Galton who crossed over for the Black and Ambers first try of the afternoon. Jac Lloyd’s boot was then instrumental in narrowing the deficit, as he slotted three points to make it 10-8.
The Blue and Blacks did widen their lead on 37 minutes, as after a brilliant kick from Lloyd Lucas and chase from Joe Goodchild, allowed Elijah Evans to show his pace and race over for his fifth of the season. Despite this score, it was Jac Lloyd who scored the final points of the opening 40 as he slotted yet another penalty.
HT: Cardiff 17-11 Newport
Proceedings in the second-half didn’t quite get off to the way the Blue and Blacks would have wanted as try scorer, Elijah Evans was shown a yellow card. Despite being down to 14-men, Lloyd Lucas remained 100% from the tee as he added three points prior to the 50-minute mark.
Quickly following this in the space of two minutes, Jac Lloyd had the opportunity of converting six points from the tee but both attempts missed the uprights. The Black and Ambers did however find a way through the hosts’ defence and this came after numerous phases close to Cardiff’s line. Loose-head, Tom Devine powered his way over and Jac Lloyd converted the extras which meant for the first time in the encounter, the visitors were in front.
That lead grew as the final quarter went on, as after miscommunication at the lineout inside the Blue and Blacks’ 22, it saw the visitors regain possession. After showcasing some great handling, Jon Morris crossed over to score the visitors third of the afternoon.
With the game slipping away from the Blue and Blacks, two penalty kicks from Jac Lloyd was enough to see Cardiff’s brilliant season come to an end.
FT: Cardiff 20-35 Newport