Cardiff Blues under-18 secured the domestic title in stunning fashion on Tuesday, as they sealed maximum points in the final game of the WRU Regional Age Grade Championship against Scarlets.
Having slipped against the Ospreys last week, the young Blues side were handed a second bite at the cherry as they battled against Scarlets, who also remained in the title race.
Following a game against the Scottish national side in Edinburgh on Sunday, joint head coaches Aled James and Craig Everett named a much-changed side for the season finale.
However, the players drafted in certainly stepped up to the plate and delivered the title for Wales’ Capital Region, crossing for four tries in the process.
It was a perfect start for the hosts at Sardis Road, as Tyler Morris opened the scoring after a minute of action with his first penalty of the evening.
The lead quickly extended to double figures as Cardiff Blues dotted down for the game’s opening try. Scarlets full back Alex Wainwright was unable to deal with Zak Fifield’s grubber kick downfield.
The loose ball was hacked ahead by Gwilym Evans and Alfie Llewellyn was on hand to gather and touch down unopposed.
Morris added the extras, but Scarlets replied as scrum half Harry Williams sniped over from close range to end an entertaining opening 10 minutes.
Full back Ioan Cooper seemed destined to add a second in the corner for his side, but was stopped short by a high tackle. However, Travis Green was on hand in the resulting breakdown to carry over the ruck and power his way to the whitewash.
Morris failed to add the conversion, but the hosts did manage to build an eight-point lead as the outside half slotted a penalty.
With half time fast approaching, Scarlets were fortunate to add a second try of the evening. Josh Phillips’ hack through deflected off the corner flag, catching the Cardiff Blues defence off guard, and giving Eddie James a straight-forward try in the corner.
The visitors came flying out of the blocks after the break, and applied all the pressure in the Cardiff Blues 22, but a combination of a strong home defence and unforced errors saw them came away empty handed.
Patience was key for the away side, however, as 12 minutes into the half Josh Evans crossed in the corner, with Phillips’ conversion making it a one-point game.
Theo Cabango relieved further pressure in the back three with a stunning solo run from deep.
The academy member’s work led to a penalty, with Morris easing the pressure on the scoreboard with three more points from the tee, but Scarlets continued to look to take the lead for the first time.
A line-out on the Cardiff Blues five meter line was over-thrown and Gwilym Evans pounced on the loose ball. The back row hacked downfield, and the jet heeled Iwan Pyrs Jones showed his electric pace to win the race for the loose ball.
The wing hacked ahead and collected but failed to keep hold of possession, with the try line at his mercy.
Moments later the Blues did make their opportunity count as Dylan Williams put the game beyond doubt with the hosts’ third of the evening.
The pace of Jones was yet again at the heart of the action as Cardiff Blues sealed the bonus point. Another kick chase saw the wing cause problems for the covering defence, and Iwan Skuse took full advantage to dot down in the final play of the game.