FAST START SEALS SPOT IN PLAY-OFFS
CARDIFF cemented the fourth and final play-off place in the Indigo Premiership after getting the win they needed from their final regular league game to make sure.
For the second weekend in succession, the Blue and Blacks made a lightning quick start to run riot over their opponents in the first half at the Arms Park.
Steve Law’s side picked up where they left off in their 77-7 dismantling of Carmarthen Quins with four tries inside the opening quarter against Merthyr – who fought so valiantly in defeat by Llandovery in the WRU Premiership Cup final at the Principality Stadium last Sunday.
Six of the hosts’ seven tries were scored in the first half.
Cardiff, who are guaranteed finish fourth, will now travel to either Newport or Llandovery in the play-off semi-finals.
Wing Dewi Cross opened the scoring after four minutes after receiving a pass inside from lock Craig Hudd. Outside-half Arwel Robson added the extras.
The hosts were over again three minutes later, this time skipper Morgan Allen crossing after a powerful driving maul to move into double figures for the season with Robson again converting.
A breathless start continued and a third try arrived after 13 minutes with Craig Hudd showing off some excellent handling skills before dotting down.
Then, two minutes later, the bonus point was secured when Cross touched down for his second try after good work from centre Arron Pinches and hooker Alun Rees.
Robson added the extras to both tries for a 28-0 lead with little more than 15 minutes gone.
But just like against the Quins, Cardiff looked in no mood to take their foot off the pedal in the first half. They scored their fifth try when
Allen’s offload sent back rower Lucas de la Rua over on 21 minutes with Robson converting.
Flanker Nathan Hudd then ran in a sixth Cardiff try from halfway moments later with Robson’s conversion making it 42-0.
The hosts would take a 42-7 lead into the turnaround with Merthyr replacement Jack Kathrens getting the visitors on the scoreboard before the break with the try converted by Gareth Thompson.
Wing Lloyd Rowlands scored a second Merthyr try just after the hour mark but this time went unconverted.
Sean Moore was then over for a seventh and final Cardiff try, unconverted to take the score to 47-12 but, to their immense credit, Merthyr kept battling and would go on to secure themselves a bonus point with two more tries in the final 10 minutes.
First Ethan Lloyd dotted down and the visitors would also have the final say when Thompson sneaked his way through before converting his own try.