Cardiff RFC raised the curtain on their first Super Rygbi Cymru Cup game with an agonising 34-5 defeat against Rygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404 at Stadiwm Eirias.
Tries from Connor Dever, Delwyn Jones, Sam Jones, and Sam Williams guided the Gogs to their first home triumph against the Blue and Blacks since December 2023.
Story of the Game
On a cold and rainy winter’s afternoon in Colwyn Bay, Cup fever was in the air as the wind swept through with Dion Jones getting proceedings underway in front of a healthy 1,144 crowd.
After four minutes, the hosts had an opportunity to break the deadlock when the Blue and Blacks were penalised for being offside.
However, outside half Jones was unable to capitalise on RGC’s first chance as his shot went left of the uprights. Aled Ward then expertly turned the ball over minutes later as Steffan Crimp kicked into the 22.
But what perhaps turned out to be a theme of the afternoon for Dan Fish’s side was that they weren’t able to use the lineout as a catalyst for an attack as the visitors lost possession.
Despite that, the deadlock was eventually broken. After losing the ball forward in attack, Joe Goodchild, who was playing in the centres for the first time since Llandovery last January, kicked in behind.
By the thinnest of margins, after showcasing his pace, Dewi Cross scored his eleventh try of the season.
Crimp was unable to add the extras, as the Blue and Blacks went into an early 5-0 lead. Then, following a number of penalties inside the visitors’ 22, the Gogs responded accordingly.
After, scrum half Dever took a penalty quickly from close range, he scored the hosts’ first try of the afternoon.
Before halftime, Jones added another three points from the tee after the Blue and Blacks were penalised.
And despite playing some great running rugby at times, after a number of kicks into the corner, a strong RGC defensive display held the ball up.
This left the visitors unable to capitalise, and they headed into the interval five points down.
HT: Rygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404 10-5 Cardiff
Cardiff began the final 40 minutes on the front foot, pressurising the hosts were unable to find a breakthrough. Then, midway through the third quarter, the Gogs claimed their second try of the afternoon.
Inside centre Jones crossed over after a number of phases on the Blue and Blacks line, as Jones added the extras to put RGC into a favourable nine-point lead.
Standout for the hosts, Caio Parry and winger Louis Willians worked well in the wide channels, and after the hour mark, Jones slotted another three points to extend RGC’s lead further.
Cardiff then had further opportunities, through a number of penalties close to the Gogs’ whitewash. But as the second half went on, from pressuring the hosts’ strong and stubborn defence, Cardiff were unable to reduce the deficit.
Winger Jones powerfully scored the hosts’ third of the contest as fullback Parry kicked the conversion.
Moments later and just before the final whistle, skipper Sam Williams scored to secure the Gogs an impressive bonus-point victory and their first in the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup.
FT: Rygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404 34-5 Cardiff RFC
Fish’s side will aim to bounce back from their opening Group A defeat next Saturday as they host Newport RFC at the Cardiff Arms Park (KO: 14:00).