Woods wants improvement after discipline costs Ebbw
EBBW VALE.......................3 CARDIFF..........................27
EBBW Vale head coach Greg Woods admitted his team had shot themselves in the foot after the Steelmen suffered a first defeat of the WRU Premiership Cup season.
Cardiff bounced back from defeat at Newport in impressive fashion as Steve Law’s side recorded a bonus-point success at Eugene Cross Park.
Young forwards Iestyn Harris and Gwilym Bradley both crossed twice as Ebbw were overpowered, and they weren’t helped by poor discipline.
“We were outplayed by a very physical Cardiff side,” said Woods.
“They put us under pressure and our mistakes killed us. We need to regroup for a huge challenge next week in Colwyn Bay.
“The mistakes we made came from Cardiff’s line speed and kicking game. We struggled to get a foothold in the game and our mistakes cost us.”
Jake Beetham kicked Cardiff into an early lead before Ebbw tighthead Dave Whiting saw yellow.
And with a man advantage the Blue and Blacks claimed the game’s first try when hooker Harris went over. Promising young regional talent Bradley was the next to grab a try.
Beetham converted to cement Cardiff’s fast start.
Fly-half Lewis K Williams put the Steelmen on the board with a penalty, but the home side turned around with it all to do.
Bradley’s second try at the start of the second half effectively ended the game as a contest and Ebbw were never going to come back from 20-3 down.
Ebbw replacement forward Dan Hill was the next Vale man to see yellow and it allowed Harris to join Bradley in making it a brace for the afternoon. Beetham improved the try.
That was the end of the scoring as Ebbw’s poor discipline and the strength of Cardiff’s forwards combined to seal a comfortable away win.
EBBW VALE – Pen: L. K. Williams CARDIFF – Tries: I. Harris (2), G Bradley (2). Cons: J. Beetham (2). Pen: J. Beetham.