The wind and rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the Blue and Blacks at Merthyr RFC on Sunday, as Cardiff recorded an impressive 100 per cent record in the second leg of the WRU’s Regional Women’s under-18 tournament.
With four wins from four and no points conceded, the Blue and Blacks - led by head coach Darren Bool - head into this week’s finale at Cardiff Arms Park with confidence, as they look to get their hands on the cup.
With national selection also on the horizon, there is a final opportunity to impress Wales coaches, but the Cardiff girls will have done no harm to their chances at Merthyr.
Cardiff 7 Dragons 0
The Dragons were the first opponents of the day at The Wern, and the Blue and Blacks were eager to get off to a flying start.
While Grace Bellamy came close to the opening score, Cardiff continued to pile pressure on the Dragons outfit, and a Libby Edwards turnover in midfield paved the way for the only score of the game.
Katie Sims kept play alive from the resulting loose possession before the ball was spread to Gabby Healen. The centre straightened the line, breaking past the first wave of defenders, drawing the full back and sending Mya Dixon clear. The full back ran infield to win extra yards for the resulting conversion, allowing Rachel Taylor-Evans to slot the extras.
Bellamy came close to adding to her side’s tally, but was held up over the line. However, a stern Cardiff defence ensured they weren’t under real threat of losing their lead.
Cardiff 10 Ospreys 0
Cardiff flew out of the blocks in their second encounter against Ospreys, opening the scoring immediately from kick off. Jasmin Owen’s thunderous hit on chase resulted in an early turnover, and powerful surge from Izabel Wing put the Blue and Blacks on the front foot. Playmaker Thomas-Evans soon spotted the overlap on the left hand side, and combined with Healen and Dixon to send Bellamy over in the corner.
Powerful carries from forwards Georgia Morgan and captain Gwennan Hopkinsc ontinued to put Ospreys under pressure, and after a sustained period in the opposition half it seemed that wing Owen had added a second for the Blue and Blacks, only for the referee to call play back for a forward pass in the build-up.
However, when Ospreys were penalised in midfield for offside, Owen was the instigator for her side’s second of the game. A quick tap caught the Ospreys defence napping and while she was eventually halted by the retreating defence, she managed to find Thomas-Evans in support.
The outside half threw a long pass to Healen, who beat the initial defender before putting Bellamy in space once more. The wing, having earlier been denied in a similar position against Dragons, needed no second invitation on this occasion, finishing expertly in the corner for her brace.
Cardiff 5 Scarlets 0
Next up for Cardiff was a contest against Scarlets, who had claimed victory at Ystrad Mynach a week before. In the hunt for revenge, Bool’s side once again got off to a quick start as they capitalised on a scrum won against the head.
With the opposition defence still re-setting, Healan received the ball on the outside of her opposite number, giving the centre an opportunity to slice through before round off the full back for a fine finish.
The defensive effort remained stern throughout, limiting Scarlets’ attacking opportunities to secure a third consecutive victory.
Cardiff 7 RGC 0
The Blue and Blacks went into the final encounter of the day at Merthyr targeting four from four ahead of this Sunday’s finale at Cardiff Arms Park.
Cardiff had to remain patient against a determined RGC side, who they had drawn against the previous week. However, the breakthrough eventually came through the half back partnership as Molly Reardon pulled in the defence, before popping to outside half Thomas-Evans who darted through from short range. The number 10 made no mistakes to convert her own try