Both sides had been forced to postpone the previous weekends matches due to inclement weather and so this local derby clash was eagerly anticipated following the Christmas break.
Wednesday 17 January Pentyrch RFC
The Vale and Cardiff have reached the quarter final stage of the 2007 DC Thomas cup and were keen to have match time under their belts before their respective cup games.
The early exchanges were frenetic, with both sides displaying excellent handling skills. It was quite obvious that the two sides wanted to play an expansive game with slick passing to the wings at every opportunity.
Cardiff broke the deadlock 5 minutes before half time following a period of sustained pressure. Matthew Marley (Creigiau) set up a ruck ball after receiving an inside pass from outside half Lewis Pearce (Oakfield). The ball was collected by scrum half Joshua Williams (Willowbrook) and fed to second row Max Wilson (Coryton). Joseph Willcox (St. Albans) created space with a barnstorming run into the heart of the Vale defence. A quick ruck ensured the ball was fed out to Richard Singer (Rhiwbina) who found himself in space to score under the posts. Pearce converted.
The second half saw a dominant Cardiff display and four unanswered tries. The raw pace of wing Tyler Mahony (St. Cadocs) could not be contained by the Vale backs. His brace of tries put the match out of sight. William Hayward (Pentyrch) converted.
A charge down by substitute scrum half Michael Hale (Ysgol Bro Eirwg) then saw the ever present Marley touch down.
A late second half fightback saw the Vale score a consolation try and this must give them confidence for their next match versus previous cup holders Bridgend in the DC Thomas Cup quarter finals.
Cardiff play a friendly next week (opposition to be confirmed) before their quarter final match against the old enemy Pontypool.
Man of the match was openside flanker Matthew Marley (Cregiau). His excellent angles of running created space his and telling tackles saw him lead his team by example. One to look out for in the future.