Posted by Cardiff RFC return to Indigo Group Premiership action for the first time this weekend since suffering a second defeat of the season away at Carmarthen Quins.
With the following week’s win over Llanelli coming in the Specsavers Cup, it means the Blue and Blacks have had a solid four weeks away from the league to reflect and prepare for a big second half of the season.
The lead at the top of the table is still a sizeable one at 10 points, but if Carmarthen were to secure a bonus point win in their game-in-hand then a five-point gap opens up the race for the title once again.
Cardiff don’t need to worry about that at this point though, our destiny is very much in our own hands, and the only focus is on two tough games coming up in the next three weeks.
While the attention of Blue and Blacks supporters has been totally on the top of the table, down at the other end there has been an intriguing battle forming up to avoid the drop into the WRU Championship next season.
The bottom side in the Premiership will automatically drop down into the second tier, and Cardiff’s next two opponents are the sides currently occupying 11th and 12th in our 12-team league; Ebbw Vale and Bridgend.
Neither side have any real form to speak of as the Ravens have lost five in a row and the Steelmen have won just one of their last five, but while the Blue and Blacks will be the clear favourites on paper these won’t be easy games by any stretch of the imagination.
In those five games Bridgend have been two points off beating Newport, with a last minute kick winning it for the Black and Ambers, while they only went down by a single point away at Pontypridd last time out.
While before an away loss at Newport, Ebbw Vale beat Pontypridd at Eugene Cross Park and drew with Llandovery away from home, lifting them off the bottom of the table and three points clear of Bridgend with a game-in-hand.
As the end of the season comes into sight both teams will be desperate to start getting more points on the board, and there are fewer tougher challenges in sport than facing a side that is fighting for its life.
So while Cardiff are focused on maintaining the run for the Premiership title at the top of the table, there should be no taking lightly of the task that is overcoming Ebbw Vale and Bridgend.
Cardiff Rugby Life 