You have to go back to 8 December 2018 for the last win by the Steelmen over last season’s Play-Off Final runners-up in the Indigo Premiership. But there was a time when Jason Strange’s side used to beat Cardiff for fun.
They had a six match unbeaten run over three seasons, and eight games in nine in total, in which they managed to win four consecutive times at the Arms Park. To repeat those glory days they will have to start better than they have done of late.
The Steelmen were 21-0 adrift at The Wern against Merthyr before waking up and then found themselves trailing by 15 points to Pontypridd at home last weekend. They picked up a point in Merthyr after a 24-17 defeat and recovered to beat Pontypridd 38-21.“We had a slow start at Merthyr and had a yellow card as well. We also missed three or four kicks that could have helped us to win it, but we can’t afford another bad start,” said Strange.“It was out conditioning that pulled us through against Ponty. The players worked really hard in the summer, and they came through strongly in the second half.
“I would obviously have preferred to have seen us get off to better starts in both games, but we know we have it in us to fight back. The second half performance against Ponty proved the players have it in them.”
Cardiff are unbeaten after two games having drawn at Pontypridd on the opening day of the season and then picked up a bonus-point at home against RGC with a 35-17 triumph last weekend. They may be struggling for numbers, but the 2022 champions still have a lot of quality.
“We have a good record against Cardiff, but the key for us is to go there and be excited. The 4G pitches suit us and it will mean we can play the kind of game we want to play,” said Strange.“We’ll have good traveling support, but I’ll be drumming into the players that as much as we got away with it last weekend, we simply cannot afford another slow start at the Arms Park.”
Pontypool had Matthew Jarvis to thank for their last-gasp win over Swansea last weekend and the Pooler outside half will be returning to one of his former stamping grounds in round three. The former Wales U20 star cut his teeth with Aberavon and will know every blade of grass at the Talbot Athletic Ground.
His goalkicking was crucial in the 20-17 triumph over Swansea and is likely to be so throughout the season. Having got a first win under their belts, Leighton Jones team can now build positively towards the future.
Newport head north to RGC seeking a second win having sat out round two. Their opening day, bonus-point triumph over arch-rivals Pontypool by 38-27 was a great start.
Now they head to Colwyn Bay looking to give former player Ceri Jones, now head coach at Eirias Park, a few more headaches after his side’s defeat in the Welsh capital.
One of the try scorers for the Gogs in that game was Huw Taylor, the ex-Dragons back five forward. His experience will be crucial this season for the north Walians.
Carmarthen Quins will welcome Bridgend, while Pontypridd receive reigning champions Llandovery at Sardis Road.
