Full back Harri Lang grabbed a hat-trick as Cardiff Blues cemented top spot in the Regional Championship with a 43-29 comeback victory over RGC 1404 at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday.
The teams were locked at 22-22 all after 40 minutes, but a powerful second half surge by the hosts – led by the treble from Lang – ensured they returned to winning ways.
Blues made nine changes to the side that was defeated by Newport Gwent Dragons as Lang, Owen Lane, Joshua Thomas, Rhys Carre, Corey Tarrant, Harri Dobbs, Josh Novell, Owen Jones and Joe Gaughan all came into the starting line-up.
It was the visitors who took a 14th minute lead with a try from centre Ianto Pari that was extended out to 12-0 when fellow midfielder Danny Cross scored.
Blues hit back with a try from Number Eight Gaughan but it was RGC who continued to control the game with George Roberts scoring a third visiting try for a 19-5 lead after 26 minutes.
The home side needed a response and got it as they dragged the game back with Lang scoring his first on the half hour before fly half Callum Hall and hooker Corey Tarrant dotted down as the match was tied up at 22-22.
A second score from Lang and one for wing Kieron Gay put Blues into a 36-22 lead before RGC threatened a comeback with fly half Rhun Williams grabbing a fourth visiting try of the game.
But it was Blues who finished the game emphatically as Lang completed his personal hat-trick on 70 minutes to see them remain top of the Regional Championships.
Timelime:
14m Pari t Cross c 0-7
19m Cross t 0-12
21m Gaughan t 5-12
26m Roberts t Cross c 5-19
29m Lang t 10-19
33m Cross p 10-22
35m Hall t 15-22
40m Tarrant t Hall c 22-22
49m Lang t Hall c 29-22
53m Gay t Hall c 36-22
64m Roberts t Cross c 36-29
70m Lang t Hall c 43-29
Cardiff Blues Under-18s: 15 Harri Lang, 14 Kieron Gay, 13 Owen Lane, 12 Declan Williams, 11 Joshua Thomas, 10 Callum Hall, 9 Carl Lewis; 1 Rhys Carre, 2 Corey Tarrant, 3 Harri Dobbs, 4 Josh Novell, 5 Callum Haggett, 6 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 7 Owen Jones, 8 Joe Gaughan
Replacements: 16 Gerwyn Coleman, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Eddie Drake, 19 Callum Bradbury, 20 Morgan S, 21 Tom Lucas, 22 Jesse Lipetz Robic, 23 Jacob LaRoche