Steve Law’s Blue & Blacks took a comprehensive 24-6 lead into the break and didn’t look back from there as they claimed a fully deserved win.
Cardiff head coach Law said: “I’m obviously pleased. We stuck to our task and the boys showed some good character at the end to not concede a try. It’s our first win at Sardis Road since 2009. We had a game plan that suits our personnel and at the moment our personnel suits attacking rugby.
“We could have easily let Pontypridd score at the end because it wouldn’t have meant very much, but we didn’t.”
Fish gave Cardiff the lead with a penalty in the ninth minute and it was the start of a superb individual display. He then carved through the home defence for a try he improved.
Pontypridd got on the board with a penalty from Tyler Morris.
But on the half hour mark, Cardiff moved further clear when their pack got a driving line-out going and Iestyn Harris was the man to emerge with the ball over the line. Fish converted.
Morris kicked another penalty, but there was still time for Ryan Wilkins to make it three for Cardiff with Fish again improving the effort.
Fish created Wilkins’ second and Cardiff’s bonus-point try nine minutes into the second half and it was no surprise he converted too. Pontypridd were never going to come back from 31-6 down.
But the least they needed to do was concede an interception try although that was exactly what they did when Ioan Evans picked up a loose pass and scythed his way to the line.
Fish converted. Pontypridd also lost prop Morgan Bosanko to a yellow card.
And it allowed James Beal to wrap up the win for Cardiff with Jack Maynard booting the extras on this occasion.
Pontypridd captain Morgan Sienawksi said: “I’m gutted. We didn’t start the game very well. Cardiff brought it today and we just didn’t turn up.
“We need to finish with a win next week against RGC 1404 before we go into a week’s break and then the league action starts.”
Newport stayed top of the eastern conference with a high-scoring 52-31 win over Merthyr at The Wern.
Ty Morris’ side have gone from strength to strength since rugby resumed following the pandemic.
And they were too good for the Ironmen although both teams secured bonus points.
Newport were soon into the lead through Dai Richards and Will Reed converted from a tight angle for a 7-0 Black and Ambers advantage. Dafydd Smith then made it two but Reed missed the kick.
Merthyr were all at sea and unable to muster a response. Smith was soon over for his second. This time Reed converted to make it 19-0.
Dale McIntosh’s home side got one back through Jarrod Cushion after Ashley Norton made a clean line break. Gareth Thompson couldn’t convert.
But there was still time before the break for Ben Roach to sprint down the wing and score in the corner to make it 24-5 to Newport at the interval.
When Newport scrum-half Luke Crane dummied his way over from the base of a ruck and then made it two for a quickfire double, the game was over as a contest.
Reed converted both tries to make it 38-5.
Justin James took a quick tap and go for a converted try which gave Merthyr some hope before Will Talbot-Davies scored in the corner for the visitors. Reed converted.
Sam Jones and Matthew Dwyer swapped tries for Merthyr and Newport as the scoring showed no signs of stopping.
Dan Wall continued Merthyr’s comeback trail and Jones grabbed his second of the afternoon, but it couldn’t stop Newport.
RGC 1404 continued their encouraging growth under new head coach Ceri Jones with victory by the narrowest of margins away to Ebbw Vale despite playing with 14 men for 65 minutes.
RGC were 22-21 winners in the end.
The long trip south from Colwyn Bay was a tough one to make for a Friday evening game, but RGC made sure it was all worthwhile by coming out on top even though captain Tom Hughes saw red.
Greg Woods’ Ebbw have struggled in the competition so far, but their decision to play a number of young players could bear fruit when the Premiership proper begins next month.
RGC led 10-7 at the break, but they lost Hughes after just 15 minutes when he was red carded for a dangerous tackle. Sam Rogers still opened the scoring for the visitors.
Ebbw took the lead when Joe Beard ran under the posts and Evan Lloyd converted.
But Dan Hill then saw yellow for the Steelmen and Brodie Coghlan went over for RGC with Rogers adding the conversion.
Ebbw used their man advantage to move back ahead when the game resumed. Alex Gray was the scorer and Lloyd converted.
The Steelmen extended the lead when Lewis Young collected a kick to score and again Lloyd kicked the extras.
RGC were up against it, but their defence was heroic and Sam Williams grabbed a crucial try after good work from the pack before Rogers kicked the conversion.
Jones’ men still had work to do, but they kept their cool and winger Zac Clow delivered with a strong hand-off to score in the corner to clinch a superb win.
