Cross hat-trick in statement victory for holders Cardiff
RGC……………………….. 15
Cardiff………………….52
Dewi Cross scored a hat-trick as cup holders Cardiff marched into the final of the WRU Challenge Cup with a thumping eight-try win over RGC in Merthyr.
Wing cross lit up this semi-final at The Wern with three tries while centre Aaron Pinches added a brace to send Cardiff back to the Principality Stadium for the April 23 final.
However they had their pack to thank for laying the foundation after dominating their north Walian opponents.
Cardiff 's scrum stamped it's authority with an early penalty and from the resulting lineout, a driving maul saw hooker Efan Daniel touch down.
Cross then hit twice in quick succession – the second after picking off an interception as RGC pressed – for a 19-3 halftime lead.
Cross struck again for a third soon after the break and the flood gates opened. Pinches squeezed over for 33-3 lead before RGC were finally rewarded for their ambition when Dan Owens finished a fine break by Dion and Efan Jones.
However replacement prop Alun Rees resumed Cardiff 's scoring with their sixth try before Pinches grabbed his second.
Pedr Jones got a consolation second for RGC but there was still time for Cardiff to score their eighth when No.8 Joe Goodchild charged over late on.
Star man: Joe Goodchild – Cardiff
