An expectant crowd turned out to see the two east Wales teams compete in their third regional game of the season and they were not left disappointed.
It didn’t take long for the Blues to break down the Dragons defence with Ballett making a powerful run in the centres. Quick second phase ball allowed the Blue’s backs to exploit the space out wide with Skrines going over in the corner.
The Blues scored again shortly after the restart with quick thinking by Joanne Jones from a Blues penalty seeing her glide through to score her first try of the game. Two more points were added to the Blues tally from the boot of Brogan Jones.
The Blues continued with a number of attacks but solid defence by the Dragons forced the errors and held the Blues at bay.
The Dragons defence was eventually penetrated by a well orchestrated backs move putting Wrigley over for one of two tries. The conversion was successful. Wrigley scored her second try moments later created by good interplay between the Blues forwards and backs.
The Dragons stepped up their game with strong, direct running from the forwards, forcing errors from the Blues and pushing them back into their own territory. Despite this pressure, the Blues created more scoring opportunities through excellent wing play from Ruck and Atkins, who were both unlucky not to find themselves on the scoresheet.
After a number of missed chances, the Blues added three further tries from Ballett, Collins and Skrines with Jones adding a further two points to lead 41-0 at the break.
The second half saw a more positive start from the Dragons pushing the attack into the Blues half. However, a break through the middle of the park by Snape, allowed quick ball out to Anderson for a 20 metre dash to the line.
The Dragons immediately replied with a try from Jordan Sharp but were unable to convert. The Blues ended the game as they started with Joanne Jones and Cerys Ballett both scoring tries with Brogan Jones converting one, sealing a comfortable win.
Cardiff Blues: Tries: Dela Anderson, Cerys Ballett (2), Jenny Collins, Joanne Jones (2), Katie Skrines (2), Rebecca Wrigley (2); Conversion: Brogan Jones (4)
Bryony Greenman, Kayleigh Cushing, Lily Snape, Melissa Osborne, Shauna Rees, Jenny Collins, Joanne Jones, Brogan Jones, Molly Atkins, Cerys Ballett, Rebecca Wrigley, Katie Skrines, Amberley Ruck, Ashleigh Searle, Katie Thomas, Ffion Edmunds, Faith Jones, Dela Anderson.
Newport Dragons: Tries: Jordan Sharp; Conversion:
Kelly Sutherland, Cerys Paine, Sian Williams, Bethan Hacker, Jordan Sharp, Talia Paine, Jade Harding, Annie Bevan, Sophie Johnson, Courtney Sharp, Chanice Morris, Neneh Dearden.
The last fixtures in the regional competition, Blues v Scarlets Under 15s and Under 18s, are being played at Cardiff High School Old Boys on Sunday 8th March. The U15s kick off at 2pm and the U18s at 3pm.
The U15s match will decide which regional will represent Wales at the RFUW regional tournament at Lichfield on the 14th. The U18s team going forward has already been decided, with the Ospreys being clear regional winners and representing Wales on the 15th.
