It was another giant step towards a hat-trick of Principality Premiership titles for the Ironmen, who will be crowned champions once again if they beat RGC1404 at home this weekend.
A brace of tries from wing Teri Gee, plus scores from Ben Murphy, Craig Locke, Adam Hoskins and a penalty try steered them to an impressive 40-21 triumph at Carmarthen Park.
“It was a tough, tough week. We were down and we were bleeding big time after losing to Cardiff in the cup final,” admitted McIntosh.
“Carmarthen is a really tough place to go to and win, but we got the win. It was huge to get back on the horse after the cup disappointment.
“It doesn’t get any easier because RGC 1404 can beat anyone on their day. They’re a very tough side to break down and we will need another big performance from our boys if we are to win the Premiership this weekend.”
Cardiff head coach Steve Law asked his players not to rest on their laurels after winning the WRU National Cup and they responded by running in 11 tries against a team sitting one place higher than them in the league.
Their 75-17 home win over Ebbw Vale was a stunning reaction from a side showing eight changes, one positional, from the team that had beaten Merthyr to win the cup for the first time in 22 years six days earlier. They simply put the Steelmen to the sword.
“We gave the players Tuesday off and decided to make a few changes to give some other players an opportunity. We told them that the last game meant little if they didn’t perform in the next one,” said Law.
“They showed plenty of passion and desire and it was a good performance against one of the better teams in the league. Now we’ve got three games to go, but the title still looks like staying in Merthyr.”
Cardiff reached 100 points with their latest bonus-point win, but are still 12 behind the Ironmen with a game in hand. They host Neath at the Arms Park on Wednesday night before finishing with trips to Bargoed and RGC 1404.
RGC 1404 got back to winning ways in stunning style after four successive defeats as they notched a record score with an 82-24 victory at Cross Keys. Sam Jones ran in four second half tries, including an 11 minute hat-trick, to steer the Gogs to a massive win, even though they were twice behind in the first-half.
Cross Keys finish their season with a home clash against Pontypridd, who kept alive their slim hopes of winning the title with a 55-28 win at Bargoed. It wasn’t all one-way traffic, though, as the teams changed ends on level terms at the break.
Luke Davies broke Bridgend hearts with a try deep into injury time that leaves the Ravens’ Premiership hopes hanging by a thread after a 27-20 defeat at Aberavon. Having sped into a 17 point lead, Bridgend were eventually overhauled at the death.
That meant they left the Talbot Athletic Ground with only a point to show for their efforts and they will now have to travel to Sardis Road this weekend needing to win to guarantee their safety.
With their biggest rivals for the final relegation spot, Llanelli and Bedwas, both winning with a bonus-point, defeat left the Ravens a point behind Bedwas and two behind Llanelli.
They need two points to relegate Bedwas, and claim their place in the play-off game against WRU Championship winners Pontypool, but nothing other than a win will be good enough to overhaul Llanelli.
A defiant Bridgend head coach Matthew Silva has refused to give up on his side’s chances of retaining their top flight status and has pledge to fight to the end this weekend.
“We are still in it, but we led here and then made a few mistakes. We had very bad luck when a kick just went dead, but we have to battle on,” said Silva.
Two tries by former Aberavon wing Mike Powell gave Bridgend the dream start and both of them were converted by full back James Howe. Howe also added a penalty to give the visitors a 17 point lead.
