Cardiff kicked-off their 150th season in style as they battled to a hard-fought BKT United Rugby Championship victory over the Scarlets on Saturday night.
The Blue & Blacks dominated for large periods in Llanelli but struggled to make it really count in greasy conditions as both sides showed signs of early season rust.
Dan Thomas burrowed over in between two scintillating tries from the hosts but it was Cardiff who led at the interval with their power proving the difference.
Taine Basham crossed just before the interval and Evan Lloyd crashed over in a tense second-half as the Blue & Blacks clung on for a deserved victory.
Corniel van Zyl selected a strong side for the first competitive fixture of the 2026-27, and handed debuts to Scott Sio and Le Roux Malan – both were quietly impressive in west Wales and will be looking to build on their performances at the Arms Park next Friday.
Following a cagey start, it was the home team that took the lead on five minutes when former Blue & Black Dane Blacker sniped from the back of a ruck. The scrum-half stepped past Liam Belcher and then timed a beautifully delayed pass to Sam Lousi, who cantered into space and offloaded out the back.
Joe Roberts got an outstretched hand to the ball and then collected, before diving into the corner for a fine try. Gareth Anscombe failed to add the extras.
Cardiff slowly grew into the game but were showing signs of early season rust. This was typified by a miss communication between Taine Basham and Mason Grady at a breakdown after a thunderous break from Teddy Williams and the number eight.
However, the Blue & Blacks were now beginning to exert pressure and subsequently enjoying much more territory.
They drew level on 17 minutes when a dominant scrum earned a penalty, which Sheedy kicked to the corner. Alex Mann won the ball at the back and Cardiff steamrolled over with his back-row partner Thomas opening his account for the season.
Sheedy knocked over the conversion, but Cardiff did not lead for long as the Scarlets roared back with a moment of individual brilliance from Blair Murray.
The home side went on the attack from a scrum on the half-way line and the Wales full-back went it alone. He dazzled past several defenders to sucker punch Corniel van Zyl’s side and Anscombe made it 12-7.
Errors continued to hamper Cardiff’s progress but as half-time approached they once again turned to their forward power. The driving line-out was well defended by the Scarlets but quick-fire pick and goes saw Basham power over.
Sheedy converted despite pressure from Blair Murray to give Cardiff a slender 12-14 lead and it could have been more. The Blue & Blacks stormed back into Scarlet territory but they eventually ran out of options and Sheedy’s attempted drop-goal fell short.
Joe Hawkins nudged Scarlets back into the lead following a scrappy start to the second half, with Cardiff squandering field position and opportunities.
However, the Blue & Blacks pressure eventually told and it was again a kick to the corner and forward power that paved the way. Again, the Scarlets defended the initial drive well, but they could not stop the combination of footwork and power from Evan Lloyd, who burst over.
Jarrod Evans slotted his first points for his home club in 1,253 days to take Cardiff’s lead to 15-21, and they hung on for the deserved victory.