The Black & Ambers then went on to lose back to back games at home against RGC and Merthyr to open the door for their oldest rivals and then ensured they marched in and took their chance.
Losing four times in a season to Newport for the first time in their history may have been hard to swallow, but a 31-12 win over the Ironmen at the Arms Park more than made up for that disappointment.
Four days on from Newport winning the Indigo Premiership Cup at Principality Stadium, Law’s men hit their target of three successive bonus-point wins to capture their first league title since 2009. The door is now well and truly shut on Newport, who end their season at Carmarthen Quins on Sunday.
Cardiff skipper Morgan Allen receives the trophy from WRU representative David Young
“It looked as though Newport were in the box seat to complete a league and cup double, but when they suffered a slip-up we saw our chance and took it,” said Law.
“We looked likely champions in 2018-19 before COVID forced the season to be cancelled and so this is a win that can make up for that in some way. The players have been terrific throughout what has been a testing season and I think we got our approach to selection right.
“We have been able to blood some good youngsters, but they have come into a side that has experience around them. In my eyes, that is the best way for them to develop and now we want to build from here and ensure we keep our hands on the title next season.”
Cardiff were far too powerful for a Merthyr side who had nothing tangible to play for with No 8 Morgan Allen catching the eye with a superb all-round performance A potent back-line tore the Ironmen to shreds at times.
The home side came out of the blocks firing with Wales U20 full-back Cameron Winnett showing tremendous pace to beat two defenders on his way to the try line. Jacob Beetham added the extras, but Merthyr hit back when Aaron Pinches crossed at the far right-hand corner after some lovely handling from his inside backs.
Cardiff had a try disallowed when former Ospreys and Scarlets No 8 Allen knocked the ball forward as he crossed the line off the back of a dominant scrum. But the hosts didn’t have to wait long to claim the second try with James Beale scoring two minutes later from short-range.
The Cardiff pack were in complete control, and their third try came when hooker Alun Rees touched down courtesy of their dominant driving lineout. Beetham kicked the conversion to give Cardiff a 19-5 lead at the interval.
The Blue & Blacks had the bonus point in the bag early in the second-half when the ball was moved right from a scrum, with a well-timed pass from Beetham putting Beale over for his second try. Cardiff were not prepared to loosen their grip on the title with impressive centre Mason Grady claiming their fifth try when he ran in unopposed from 40 metres out.
Merthyr claimed a late consolation try when Logan McIntosh, son of head coach Dale, powered over after a strong driving lineout by the visitors. Cardiff ended the game with 14 men after Rhys Barratt was shown a yellow card for leading with his shoulder as he charged into a ruck.
But it was a case of too little too late for Merthyr as Cardiff saw out the game with ease to become the best semi-professional side in Wales.
