The task was simple on Saturday afternoon for Dan Fish’s side in their last outing in the Welsh capital for 2025.
Cardiff RFC needed a result, as although they returned to the Arms Park buoyed by a 31-26 win against Carmarthen Quins last time out, they have won only three of five home matches in the league.
Those were against Aberavon, Pontypool, and Llandovery, with the defeats coming against Swansea, RGC 1404, and the Quins.
Speaking in the Captain’s Corner piece on Friday afternoon, Captain Craig Hudd, who was making his 50th appearance, said: “We’ve had great battles with them (Bridgend) over the last few years,” and Saturday afternoon was no different between the two sides.
Tries from Alun Rees and Ben Fry saw the hosts into a slim two-point lead heading into the final ten minutes of the first half.
This was followed by Ieuan Davies scoring and Fry claiming his brace as the Blue and Blacks were up by 16 points at the interval.
But after an ill-disciplined and scoreless second half from the visitors, Cardiff were allowed to score a further three tries as they claimed the spoils 49-12.
Before kickoff in the Pack Bar, winger Dewi Cross won Supporters Player of the Year, and Supporters Newcomer of the Year went to Tom Bowen, with head coach Fish collecting the award on behalf of the winger.
Story of the Game
On a cold but sunny late winter afternoon at the Arms Park, outside half Ben Burnell got the contest underway in front of a large crowd in Cardiff.
Continuing with the theme of fast starts from the Blue and Blacks, Matty Young broke upfield and put the hosts instantly on the front foot.
Then Bridgend looked to get over the gain line moments later, but after a great tackle from Fry and a turnover from Lucas de la Rua the hosts regained possession.
Soon, the deadlock was broken. After a number of penalties inside the visitors’ 22, hooker Rees from a catch and drive scored his ninth of the season.
The visitors then responded accordingly minutes later with a cross from Burnell after some poor defending from the hosts. Shortly following this, Cardiff found themselves behind for the first time in the encounter.
This came from an offload by Cameron Ellis, allowing winger Mccauley Rowley to cross over for the Ravens’ second. Burnell was unable to add the extras, but the visitors were five points clear after 21 minutes.
Blindside Fry before the 30-minute mark powerfully crossed over as Wilde added the extras, which put the hosts back in front.
Scrum-half Davies, from some distance, read the attack of the visitors extremely well, after timing his run. He intercepted and raced over for his first try at the Arms Park and his second of the season.
Then, before the half-time whistle, Fry crossed for his second following yet another powerful catch and drive from the hosts. This followed hooker Tyler Olding being yellow-carded for the visitors.
HT: Cardiff 28-12 Bridgend Ravens
The 16-point lead that the Blue and Blacks had at the interval quickly grew shortly into the final 40 minutes. After a brilliant offload by Player of the Match Steff Emanuel, outside centre Osian Darwin-Lewis scored his third try of the season.
Former Cardiff player Marc Thomas, who skippered the visitors on Saturday afternoon, was shown a yellow card by referee Adam Jones after the hour mark.
Bridgend were then down to 13 men after Harry Olding was shown a red card for a high tackle on centre Emanuel inside the visitors’ 22.
Having been on for only a matter of minutes and on his debut for Cardiff, Tom Howe expertly scored from close range.
The hooker who came on for Alun Rees on 60 minutes had only turned 18 a matter of weeks ago and represented Wales U20s last Friday in Merthyr.
In the closing moments of the contest, winger Cross kicked a ball in behind, and replacement Joe Williams gathered and crossed over to secure the six points for the home side in their final outing at the Arms Park in 2025.
FT: Cardiff 49-12 Bridgend Ravens