The job’s not done for us yet, warns Fish
DAN Fish has warned his Cardiff team mates not to take anything for granted in the Indigo Group Premiership title race despite steering his side to a 42-10 home win over Pontypridd that took them one point clear at the top of the table.
A big and vociferous crowd at the Arms Park saw the Blue & Blacks run in six tries to clinch the second of three bonus-point wins they need to guarantee a first title since 2009. Now all eyes are fixed on Thursday, 28 April, when Merthyr come to the capital.
The Ironmen burst long-term leaders Newport’s bubble by inflicting a second successive defeat on them to open the door for Cardiff to compete for the silverware. Now they have gone one point clear of the team that beat them four times this season.
Newport head to Carmarthen Quins three days after Cardiff complete their programme and now have to hope Merthyr can do them a favour in what will be the final game in charge of head coach Dale McIntosh.
“This is a difficult league and winning it would be massive for the club. But we know that Merthyr aren’t going to come to the Arms Park and roll over for us,” said man of the match Fish.
“They had a fantastic win over Newport and we’ve just got to rest up and be ready to go again. Every time you get to pull on the Cardiff jersey to have to enjoy it because you never know if it could be your last.”
Llanishen High School star Harrison James scored twice in the first half to give Cardiff a 21-10 interval lead, while Harri Millard struck twice in the second to complete the bonus-point win. There were also tries form skipper Morgan Allen and hooker Evan Yardley, while Ponty had an interception try from their expert predator Dale Stuckey.
Swansea rounded off their season with a 31-21 bonus-point victory over Llanelli at St Helen’s. The home side took an early lead when wing Harry Houston scored in the left corner. Ospreys outsidehalf Cai Evans added the extras, but Llanelli responded by laying siege to the Swansea try line.
Prop Ryan Davies eventually powered over from short range, with Josh Phillips adding the extras to level things up. Swansea regained the lead when centre Gareth Rees sliced open the Llanelli defence before putting Llien Morgan over for another try converted by Evans, who then ran in form 40 metres for a third..
Llanelli turned down a straightforward shot at goal just before half-time, and it proved to be the correct decision with No 8 Nathan Hart showing his power to smash his way over the line.
Swansea secured their try bonus point thanks to a sensational 60 metre break from Wales U20 full back Iestyn Hopkins which led to second row Matt Dodd scoring. Llanelli claimed a consolation try at the death when replacement hooker Rhys Cherry touched down off the back of a well-worked driving lineout.
A hat-trick of tries from Aaron Warren fired Llandovery to a 38-12 away win over their west Walian rivals Carmarthen Quins.
Bottom of the table Bridgend picked up only their second win of the league season as they beat Indigo Group Premiership Cup finalists Aberavon 17-13 at the Brewery Field. Star of the show for the Ravens was former Wales U20 and Ospreys No 8 Morgan Strong, who scored two tries.