Cardiff Blues kicked off their WRU Regional Championship campaign with victories over North Wales in Denbigh on Saturday
The South under 16s defeated their hosts 22-5 with three tries whilst the Blues under 18s helped themselves to six tries in a 37-7 victory.
Heavy weekend rain made life difficult for both sides in the opening game at under 16 level. However, to their credit, both teams battled against the inclement weather and produced a game that was combative and at times, intriguing.
The greater strength of the Blues South pack won the day in the end, but North Wales can be satisfied with the manner in which they battled in this their first game in the competition.
Right wing Jonathan Davies bagged North WalesÂ’ only points, courtesy of a first half try, but the South were good enough to go in at the interval boasting a 12-5 lead.
Cory Allen crossed for the first of his two tries and James Morris added a second just before the break with Morris converting one to open his account for the season.
After the interval, there was more of the same for the South with Allen crossing for a second time, in the closing minutes with Matt Hurley converting.
Morris kicked an earlier penalty to help secure the points, but they missed out on a bonus point for four tries. A try deep into injury time from Jack Owen, converted by Callum Bennett, was all North Wales could muster against a strong Blues side in the under 18 game.
Alex Webber, Sam Campbell (2), Owen Davies, Owen Williams and Elliott Jones crossed for tries for the Blues with Diggy Bird kicking a penalty and conversion and Campbell adding a conversion.
Blues performance manager Gafyn Cooper said; "The conditions made it tough for all four sides, but I was pleased with the manner in which we adapted.
"We were good value for the victory at under 16 and I thought at under 18 level we controlled the game throughout."