FRIENDLY ROUND-UP
CARDIFF look in good shape ahead of their Principality Premiership opener against champions Merthyr on Saturday following their 59-22 victory over National Championship outfit Tata Steel.
Martin Roberts, Morgan Allen, Nathan Smith, Amir Jiwa-Walji, Mathew Powell and Llywarch ap Myrddin all added to a penalty try for the Blue and Blacks.
Debutants Anthony Cox and Michael Bratcher also made their mark with tries while Gareth Thompson booted over six conversions.
But Merthyr were also in fine form as they ran in 14 tries in an 86-7 win over Peterborough Lions.
Rhys Williams, Lewis Williams, Matthew Jarvis and Josh Martin were all at the double for the Ironmen.
Kristian Smith, Jay Baker, Phil Rees, Justin James, Teri Gee and Matthew Dwyer also crossed the whitewash.
Martin and Jarvis shared kicking duty with four conversions each.
Pontypridd enjoyed a good workout as they beat Ystalyfera 43-10.
It took just five minutes for Ponty to get points on the board through Ryan Crowley, who added a second shortly after. Jordan Rees claimed a third touch down for the Valley Commandos before Crowley sealed his hat-trick.
Dafydd Lockyer added another before the break.
Gary Williams and Ross Morgan all touched down in the second half to give Ponty a huge victory.
Rees kicked three conversions while Ceri Sweeney added a conversion.
Steffan Jones and Luc Caines were the try scorers for Ystalyfera.
Meanwhile, it was a tight affair as Neath claimed a 31-29 win over Pontypool, who will hope to earn promotion to the Premiership this season.
Mike Evans, Jon Barley, Ed Howley and Jordan Collier all went over for Neath but they still needed a last-gasp try from Ian Ellis to secure the win. Howley also booted six points.
Ceri Morris and Brendan Lampitt were among the Pooler scorers while Clayton Gullis bagged a brace.
Elsewhere, Ebbw Vale’s preparations didn’t go too well as they went down 53-12 to Chinnor.
Bridgend Ravens were narrowly beaten 38-36 by Premiership rivals Bargoed while Bedwas were on the right side of a 26-24 scoreline as they saw off Esher.