CARDIFF scored 37 unanswered points on Thursday (Jan 27) as they stormed to a 58-8 victory over Ebbw Vale in the Indigo Premiership.
The result temporarily moved the Blue and Blacks top of the table ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.
It was the Vale who scored first as Rhys Jones landed a penalty but Cardiff replied in kind with a penalty from Jake Beetham.
The Vale were then reduced to 14 men when Aaron Coundley was yellow carded and soon after the home side took the lead.
A maul formed following a lineout and Cardiff pushed their way over with Nathan Hudd claiming the touch down.
Theo Cabango then got his name on the scoresheet and Beetham added the extras to make it 15-3.
With half an hour gone it got worse for the Vale as an early tackle was deemed to have prevented a try-scoring opportunity for Cabango and a penalty try was given.
As the half drew to a close the visitors looked for a try that would have kept them in the game and that’s exactly what they got.
Ebbw pushed their way over and Alex Howe touched the ball down. The conversion was missed and it meant the half time score would stay at 22-8.
After an even start to the second half it was Cardiff who got the first score courtesy of Ethan Lloyd. The conversion was missed but the home side had the bonus point for their fourth try.
Five minutes later an excellent 50-22 kick from Dan Fish gave them a lineout and from the resulting maul, Alun Rees touched the ball down. Beetham then added the extras.
Two minutes later Cardiff had another try and it was almost a carbon copy. Another 50-22 kick from Fish put them into the corner but this time the maul was pulled down. Cardiff kicked to touch for another lineout and this time the maul went over the line and Rees again got the touch down. Beetham added the extras to make it 41-8.
With fifteen minutes to go some good work down the left touchline saw Ellis Bevan go over for the try. The TMP checked for a forward pass but there was no clear view and the try was given.
Cardiff kept the pressure on and they soon had another try with Iwan Pyrs-Jones and Beetham added the extras to make it 53-8.
As the game edged towards its conclusion the Vale looked to finish on a high and a good move looked to have set them up but Mark Powell dropped the ball inches from the line.
From the resulting scrum, Morgan Allen found Bevan who raced off from his own half to score Cardiff’s ninth and final try.
Beetham missed the extras but it mattered little as Cardiff celebrated an excellent win.
Their next fixture takes place on February 19 when the Blue and Blacks travel to Bridgend. Ebbw Vale are also in action on that day as they host Carmarthen Quins.
