Match Report: Cardiff seal Round of 16 berth with Newcastle drubbing

Two tries from Owen Lane along with further scores from Lloyd Williams, Rhys Carre, Josh Adams and Harri Millard gave the Welsh region a hefty win.

Newcastle notched a consolation score through Alun Walker, but the dismal day for the visitors also saw Elliott Obatoyinbo sent off for a high tackle.

It was inside the first minute that Lane scored Cardiff’s first before Seb Davies went over moments later, a double score which set an early tone for the rampant performance that was to come.

Rhys Priestland kicked both of those conversions, as he did for every Cardiff try to rack up a personal tally 12 points.

Carre’s effort took Cardiff even further out of sight, with a Tian Schoeman penalty Newcastle’s only response before the break.

And to make matters worse for the Gallagher Premiership out, Elliott Obatoyinbo’s high tackle on the stroke of half-time saw them go down to 14 men for the remainder of the game.

Lane scored his second shortly after the infringement and sent Newcastle into the dressing room reeling.

A Perfect 4️⃣0️⃣@Cardiff_Rugby are in control at the break with the bonus point secured 🔥

How will Newcastle respond in the second half?

📺 Watch Live on @ViaPlaySportsUK and @FloRugby#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/rRjXIj9DXP

— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) January 15, 2023

Full-back Adams scored Cardiff’s first points of the second period when he crossed in the 53rd minute, but Newcastle soon got their only try of the game on the hour mark when Walker dotted down.

But Cardiff were not finished, and in the 73rd minute Millard crossed for yet another converted try which further cemented Cardiff’s progression to the next stage of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

Cardiff will close out their Pool A fixtures with a game against CA Brive in France on January 21, while Newcastle will host Irish province Connacht Rugby on the same day.