Brynley Toms and his Cardiff Rugby Football Club teammates gained a bonus point 34 – 32 win against Newport after a second-half fight back.
Cardiff started well and was on the front foot right from the kickoff, the back row, was outstanding all game, turning Newport over on several occasions in the first quarter. The first try came from a lineout in the visitor's twenty-two. The ball was simply moved across the field by Olly Robinson and Dan Fish to Cameron Winnett. He broke the line and fed Tom Habberfield. When the wing was about to be tackled, he put in a stab through which Jamie Hill pounced on to score.
The second score involved Winnett again as he latched onto an inside ball from Harrison James and split the defense. His superbly times pass gave James Beal room to stretch his legs to score in the corner. Try three came from a lineout. Morgan Allen burst through the Newport backline and when the ball was recycled Efan Daniel found a huge hole to race through to score from thirty meters out.
The home side tried hard to break down the Cardiff defense but was thwarted by the back-row team, Allen and Gwilym Bradley holding up mauls and Robinson all over the ball like a rash when it went on the floor. The hosts only managed two penalties in the first half, but Cardiff had the last word as from a Newport lineout in the Cardiff half the ball went loose and Bradley gathered and headed off downfield. As he sprinted away no one from the Newport side was able to get anywhere near him, in fact, he seemed to be going away from them to score the bonus point try.
The second half started the same way, Cardiff was piling forward and Hill was able to extend the lead. This was created by first, Beal who managed to keep the ball alive when heading for touch. Robinson flicked the ball through his legs to keep the move going, and he was involved again as his pass to Hill was perfect.
Then came the Newport fightback. Nathan Evans got a brace before Harrison James kicked a penalty that was to prove crucial. Cardiff were having to make changes as several injuries caused positional moves in both the forwards and backs. Newport took advantage and a try by Rhys Jenkins brought them closer. When Elliot Frewen scored with a minute to go they were within two points. From the kick-off, Newport attacked from deep, but Cardiff held on to win a penalty and gain the bonus point win in their first game at the Newport Stadium.
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