James Botham has praised the togetherness of Cardiff after claiming the BKT Player of the Match award following a 40-27 victory over Zebre Parma.

The Blue & Blacks led from the sixth minute at the Arms Park and never looked in trouble despite an Italian fight back in the final quarter.

Tom Bowen added finesse with a brace after the break but it was the pack that laid the platform with Teddy Williams, Javan Sebastian, Taine Basham and Alex Mann all crossing in the first 40 minutes. 

Botham was also at the heart of everything, making 31 tackles and taking the plaudits, but he credited the team performance.

He said: “It was good. We start off really well and  then the second half, we knew they were going to come out. guns blazing, with a few young boys coming on.

 But it was great to get the result. We’ve got a few work ons, but the boys stuck in together and showed what we can do. 

“It comes from pre-season, everything like that, the bond on and off the field, and I think everyone’s got each other’s back and you can see it there. 

“Everyone wants to play for each other. There’s no one going individual and you can see when we’re gelling and together. You can see what we can do as a whole pack.”