Cardiff Blues U18 47
Scarlets U18s 10
Cardiff Blues Under-18s kicked off their Regional Age-Grade Championship with an emphatic seven-try victory over the Scarlets.
Cam Winnett (2), Zak Fifield, Louie Hennessey-Booth, Jake Thomas, Ryan Wilkins and Dylan Thomas all crossed for tries as the Under-18s returned to action for the first time since the pandemic.
The Cardiff young guns dominated throughout the encounter and attack coach Dan Fish was pleased with the performance.
He said: “It was a really pleasing way for the Under-18s, who haven’t played together for such a long time, to start their campaign.
“We were pleased with our preparations and were in a good place going into the game but we were hugely impressed with the boys physicality, intensity and accuracy.
“We dominated pretty much all facets of the game and scored some great tries both through strong forward play and some well executed starter plays.
“The Scarlets also tested us defensively at times, and while they got a couple of tries, the boys were very good on both sides of the ball.
“It gives us confidence going into the Dragons on Sunday, which will be a big test but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Cardiff came out of the blocks firing at a sun-kissed Cardiff Arms Park and it did not take long for them to surge into the lead as Zak Fifield powered over from a five metre scrum.
Harrison James converted and the Blues continued to up the tempo with Cam Winnett soon crashing over, after a quickly taken tap penalty from Jacob Symes, which was again turned to seven.
The Scarlets were not without their own opportunities but left after a long period of pressure empty handed with the home side ruthlessly displaying their clinical edge.
They opened up with quick-fire scores from well worked starter plays to delight attack coach Fish.
First, Louie Hennessy-Booth broke through and had the pace to beat the last man and gallop over and minutes later, after a searing break from Iwan Pyrs-Jones, Cam Winnett was on hand to dab down.
James added both conversions to give his side a comfortable 28-0 lead going into half time.
Momentum continued early in the second half with Jake Thomas finishing after some impressive phase play. Thomas also caught the eye with three last ditch tackles to keep the Scarlets at bay.
They deservedly got on the scoreboard with a smart try from a centre field scrum but their comeback was short-lived and Ryan Wilkins soon delivered a knock out blow.
The substitute caught the Scarlets in the danger zone and made a key defensive rip to gallop over unopposed.
The Scarlets woes continued with exile second row, Dylan Thomas, charging down a kick and crashing over but they had the final say with a quality try after a midfield line break and effective support to finish.
Cardiff Blues Under-18s are next in action against the Dragons at Ystrad Mynach on Sunday.