Impressive Cardiff Blues Under-18s maintained their unbeaten start to the new Regional Championship with a 22-3 victory over Scarlets Under-18s at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.
Both teams went into the clash with two successive wins in the competition, but it was the hosts who produced an exhilarating display to run out convincing winners.
Aled Ward, Terri Morgan Gee and Owen Lane crossed for well worked tries for the home side who showed plenty of attacking verve.
But equally as pleasing was an outstanding defensive effort as Blues overcame being reduced to 13 men in the second half to hold a talented young Scarlets attack at bay.
The two teams served up an entertaining end to end start to the game as, despite the persistent drizzle, both sides showed admirable handling skills.
Neat back play from Blues led to an early penalty that Callum Hall slotted for a deserved 3-0 lead after 18 minutes.
A superb kick from Jessie Lipetz Robic cleared danger when flying full back Kalun Evans threatened for Scarlets before Billy McBryde levelled things up for the visitors.
The opening try for the night came when Blues were rewarded for adventure as Hall kicked to the corner instead of the posts.
The decision was vindicated as the home pack confidently rumbled over with Number Eight Aled Ward touching down. Hall converted from out wide for a 10-3 lead just before the half hour.
Blues were defending powerfully as a unit to shut down a pacey Scarlets attack that enjoyed a period of sustained pressure before the break.
The alert Kieron Assiratti picked off a loose pass at the start of the second half as Blues continued to look to play in the right areas.
Slick handling then sent speedster Morgan Gee over in the right corner with Hall adding the extras from the touchline.
Blues continued to play with real speed and intent with Declan Williams smashing into tackles and Curtis Povey looking to attack the line from deep. The home pack of forwards were also putting a fine shift in to disrupt ball at the breakdown.
Home scrum half Liam Free was yellow carded as the referee lost patience with a series of penalties against Blues close to the line as Scarlets looked to crank up the pressure with 20 minutes left.
The penalties continued to mount with Morgan Sieniawski also sent to the sin bin as the hosts had to handle a period with just 13 men.
However, Blues showed excellent resolve to hold firm and then went on the attack once more as they again turned down a kick for the posts, drove up close through the forwards before Lane crunched over out wide to complete the win.
Timelime:
18m Hall p 3-0
22m McBryde p 3-3
27m Ward t Hall c 10-3
41m Morgan Gee t Hall c 17-3
66m Lane t 22-3
Cardiff Blues Under-18s: 15 Curtis Povey, 14 Teri Morgan Gee, 13 Owen Lane, 12 Declan Williams, 11 Jessie Lipetz Robic (Thomas 65), 10 Callum Hall, 9 Liam Free (Lewis 57); 1 Corey Domachowski (Carre 50), 2 Gerwyn Coleman, 3 Kieron Assiratti (Ringer 61), 4 Callum Haggett (c), 5 Callum Bradbury, 6 Shane Lewis-Hughes (Gaughan 61), 7 Morgan Sieniawski, 8 Aled Ward (Jones 50)
Replacements: 16 Aldi Coverdale, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Joe Ringer, 19 Joe Gaughan, 20 Owen Jones, 21 Carl Lewis, 22 Cameron Gibbon, 23 Josh Thomas