Cup holders Newport overcame Pontypridd 26-10 at the Brewery Field, while reigning Indigo Premiership champions Cardiff crushed RGC 52-15 to set-up a third cup final meeting between the two clubs.
“It is going to be a classic final with two of the biggest rivals in the world of club rugby going head-to-head,” said Newport team manager, Mark Workman.
“It was one of our best performances of the season to beat Pontypridd and now we want to make it back-to-back cup wins. We beat Cardiff four times last season for the first time in our history and we also beat them at home in the league this season.
“But they beat us at home as well, and they won the league last season and the cup in 2019, so we know they are a quality side. It is going to be a great occasion and a great game.”
The two teams, who first met in 1875, clashed in the WRU Challenge Cup finals in 1977 and 1986. Newport won the first meeting and Cardiff the second.
Newport had three first half tries from Thomas Davies, Sam Jones and Dafydd Buckland to thank for giving them a comfortable 19-5 interval lead. Winger Jones added his second try at the start of the second half to seal the victory.
Despite a 50/22 from scrum-half Joel Raikes that put Ponty on the attack, it was Newport who opening the scoring after a 50/22 of their own from Matt O’Brien. The lineout saw Newport use their rolling maul as loosehead Davies rumbled over.
Newport centre Chay Foster-Smith then broke through the Ponty defence to create a simple two on one to put Jones over in the corner. Ponty’s initial response was good as they managed to gain some territory inside the Newport 22.
Following a number of penalties against them, scrum-half Dafydd Buckland was shown a yellow card and Ponty used their man advantage to work fullback Dale Stuckey over for a slick score.
When Buckland returned, he scored his side’s third try following a break from wing Elliot Frewen, with the scrum-half supporting on the inside line.
Newport started the second half exactly how they ended the first, Wales U20 centre Harri Ackerman providing the assist for winger Jones to score again. Pontypridd attempted to fight their way back into the contest although the cup holders were in no mood to surrender their title, although Ponty did cross again in the dying minutes thanks to wing Alex Lloyd.
Dewi Cross scored a hat-trick of tries for Cardiff, and there were two more from centre Aaran Pinches, as they blew apart the challenge from the Gogs. Now they are eyeing up a possible league and cup double.
“We owe Newport for beating us four times last season and then beating us by a point at home in the league this winter. They are our bogey side, and we have to put that right,” said Cardiff head coach, Steve Law.
“It is going to be two big clubs who have a lot of history going head-to-head in the final. It promises to be a great event.”
The Blue & Blacks had their pack to thank for laying the foundation after dominating their north Walian opponents to make it three wins over them this season. Cardiff’s scrum stamped it’s authority on proceedings with an early penalty and from the resulting lineout, a driving maul saw hooker Efan Daniel touch down.
Pedr Jones got a consolation second for RGC but there was still time for Cardiff to scored their eighth when No8 Joe Goodchild charged over late on.
