Cardiff beat Merthyr to win WRU National Cup on Finals Day
- Published
Six teams competed for silverware at the home of Welsh rugby on Sunday as the Principality Stadium hosted the highlight of the club rugby calendar - National Finals Day.
National Cup final: Cardiff 25-19 Merthyr
Cardiff won the National Cup for the first time since 1997 after defeating holders Merthyr in the showpiece match.
Principality Premiership leaders Merthyr looked ominous after they opened the scoring with a try from wing Kyle Evans, converted by Matthew Jarvis.
Cardiff responded with a penalty from fly-half Gareth Thompson before Evans crossed for his second score.
Cardiff's first try came from flanker Tom Daley, converted by Thompson who also added a penalty to give his side a 13-12 half-time lead.
Full-back Edd Howley scored early in the second-half to extend the lead with Thompson adding the conversion.
Merthyr's tight approach paid off with a score for Downes, which Jarvis converted, a smartbreak from centre Ben Thomas completed the try scoring and started the Blue and Blacks' celebrations.
National Plate final: Bonymaen 21-23 Brecon
A hat-trick from full-back Jake Crockett set up victory for Brecon, who are coached by former Wales and British and Irish Lions number eight Andy Powell.
Two first-half tries from Crockett helped Brecon build a 15-6 half time lead with Dean Gunter adding a penalty and a conversion.
Richard Cunniffe kicked three penalties for Bonymaen before Brecon captain and number eight Ewan Williams set up Crockett for his third try.
Bonymaen responded with a simple try for scrum-half Nathan Eager and Gunter added another penalty for Brecon.
Flanker Jack Davies scored Bonymaen's second try before Brecon claimed victory.
Powell revealed after the game the Brecon squad would be celebrating with a tractor trailer tour of the town's local pubs on Monday.
National Bowl final: Abergavenny 27-23 Oakdale
Abergavenny, who included 43-year-old former Wales back-rower Nathan Thomas in the pack, came back from 23-8 down to defeat fellow Division Three East A promotion-chasing side Oakdale.
Wing Anthony Squire, who flew back from a stag do in Bali for the game, scored the last-gasp winning try, which man-of-the-match Nathan Williams converted.
There was a discussion among the Abergavenny players prior to the final move after the side had been awarded a penalty.
If they had chosen to kick the three points the match would have been drawn and the trophy shared so they opted to go for the victory instead.
Replacement wing Nathan Byrne and Dan Horler also scored tries while Williams kicked two conversions and a penalty.
Oakdale outside-half Simon Veall contributed 13 points, including a try, while former Glamorgan cricketer Kyle Tudge and hooker Matthew Davies also scored tries.
Women's National Finals
National Super Cup final: Swansea Women 33-12 Pontyclun Falcons
National Plate final: Llandaff North Ladies 26-21 Whitland Ladies
National Bowl final: Taffs Well Women 15-10 Morriston Ladies