The outside-half was on the mark with four penalties and three conversions at Cardiff Arms Park during a convincing triumph in one of rugby’s oldest and most fierce rivalries.
The Blue and Blacks didn’t look back after taking a third minute lead through centre Luke Pollock, converted by James.
Newport hit back with a try from right-wing Oli Andrew, converted by play-maker Matt O’Brien, but back-to-back penalties from James moved Cardiff into a 13-7 lead.
They pulled away in the second quarter with left-wing Dewi Cross catching a crosskick to score and captain Morgan Allen going over for a 25-10 lead.
James put them further ahead with a penalty. Newport replied at the hour mark with full-back Carwyn Penny crossing for a super effort but Cardiff had the final say with a late try from substitute hooker Alun Rees, and a conversion and penalty from James.
Merthyr came out on the right side of a humdinger of a tie during their A470 Taff Valley battle with Pontypridd at Sardis Road.
The so-called House of Pain was a graveyard for some of Europe’s biggest clubs before Welsh rugby brought in a regional tier but it was Pontypridd who suffered this time as the lead changed hands six times during a rousing encounter with Merthyr taking it 30-27.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 24, 2023-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 24, 2023-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
