Cardiff 31-14 Dragons: Blue and Blacks show clinical edge to claim bonus point win in Welsh derby

Cardiff claimed a fifteenth straight win over the Dragons on Saturday night, running out 31-14 victors in the Welsh capital.

The Blue and Blacks grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck early, as the wind blew at their backs off the River Taff. A flurry of Taine Basham penalties put the hosts in a dangerous attacking position and the ball was eventually flung wide to returning Wales ace Josh Adams.

He beat no fewer than four defenders as he raced over for the games opening score in the 13th minute. And the lead was doubled just moments later.

Willis Halaholo won a penalty at the breakdown and Rhys Carre charged his way under the sticks after a neat lineout move five metres from the Dragons line. Both scores were converted by Jarrod Evans and Cardiff led by 14 points, which was no less than they deserved.

Dai Flanagan’s Dragons responded well, though. Just over midway into the first half, they gained access to Cardiff’s 22 after Shane Lewis-Hughes was penalised for not rolling away and full-back Angus O’Brien split two defenders to barge over from close range after a number of phases on the hosts’ line. JJ Hanrahan converted to half the deficit.

But as the game approached the half hour mark, Rhodri Williams was yellow carded for tap tackling Max Llewellyn, who was charging up the near touchline, when he was already on the floor, having just tackled Willis Halaholo.

Cardiff went over for their third a minute after Williams’ arrival on the naughty step. From a five metre lineout, Cardiff crashed it up in midfield and then flung it back to the blindside, where James Botham, on the field as a HIA replacement for Lewis-Hughes, was unmarked. The flanker charged over the covering O’Brian and Evans’ conversion restored the