Cardiff fall to defeat against a strong Loughborough side after a spirited effort at Llanrumney.
Cardiff 7-31 Loughborough
Reporter Adam Gaston
Cardiff put up a spirited display against Loughborogh, before falling away against the visitors.
Cardiff came into this game as big underdogs after two tough losses against Hartpury and Cardiff Met in their opening games.
Loughborough, a strong rugby side who consistently finish in the top half of the league, came with high expectations.
However, Nic Evans’ Cardiff side certainly didn’t play like underdogs as they came out fast in the opening stages.
Four penalties conceded by the away side in the opening seven minutes saw Cardiff pile on pressure close to the line. But they were unable to capitalise.
Loughborough would come back into the game, making their way down to the Cardiff 22 with some powerful carries. They would crash over twice in a short period of time through Grace Clifford and Kaya Acton who put them in control of the match, 12-0 to the good.
Despite a superb break from Cardiff Flanker Ffion James, who made it just up to the 5-metre line, the home side were unable to capitalise again, giving away a penalty at the ruck.
Loughborough would take their next chance however with pressure leading to several penalties against Cardiff and forfeit of territory. A driving maul from Loughborough saw Harli Stanton touch down to extend their lead to 17-0 after 22 minutes, with Freya Maccoll unable to score the conversion
But Cardiff kept going. Loughborough ill-discipline created by relentless Cardiff attack gave the home side a great field position in the opposition 22. Emily Hay, who was fantastic throughout the game, was just held up over the line after a series of phases.
Cardiff, on this occasion, were able to sustain the pressure and eventually found an extra player out wide with speedster Lili Corrihons bursting through to score, just minutes from half time. Millie Balkwill converted brilliantly from a tricky angle and Cardiff went into half time 17-7 down, but with renewed hope.
Cardiff would kick off the second half in the same vein, applying a lot of pressure to Loughborough with Emily Hay playing a lot of lateral passes to her forwards which got them on the front foot. Cleo Pallister Turley and Ffion James found a lot of success, gaining metres post-contact.
Loughborough managed to gain a foothold with some success at the breakdown and got up the pitch. Cardiff, feeling pressure for the first time in the second half, lost the ball on their own scrum feed just 15 metres out from their try line. Loughborough, in typically clinical fashion would capitalise. A strong carry from Number 8 and Captain Ellie Roberts got them on the front foot. Sasha Roberts would then drive over to all but wrap up the match with just under twenty minutes to go.
Loughborough would add a fifth through Alice Bennett after a quick turnover of possession. An effort converted by Freya Maccoll, her 3rd successful kick of the day.
Despite the away sides efforts to add to this lead, Cardiff would hold them out for the remainder of the match. Loughborough got the job done in Cardiff, but they will know they were in a fight.