Cardiff player ratings vs Stormers: United Rugby Championship

A brace from winger Jacob Beetham was accompanied by further scores by Tom Bowen and Ioan Lloyd as the Blue and Blacks secured a 22-16 victory at a raucous Cardiff Arms Park

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Cardiff Rugby: 22

Tries: Jacob Beetham (16’, 48’), Tom Bowen (20’), Ioan Lloyd (39’

Conversions: Ioan Lloyd (16’)

Penalties: N/A

Yellow Card: Liam Belcher (4’), Dafydd Hughes (80+1')

Stormers: 16

Tries: Adre Smith (6’)

Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (7’)

Penalties: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (29’, 80+1')

Yellow Cards: Adre Smith (38’)

In his fourth consecutive URC game at fullback, Winnett had a decent showing in a season marked by many ups and downs. One of his standout moments came without the ball, as he was one of his side’s main protagonists in defence, with some brilliant hits.

He was replaced late in the contest by Leigh Halfpenny, who played his final home game as a Blue and Black.

Following scoring late last week, his first major impact on the contest came via holding up Imad Khan after an early onslaught of pressure from the visitors. He then claimed his second URC try of the season after brilliantly gathering a crossfield kick from outside-half Lloyd.

A real breakthrough performance following a second in the final 40 minutes. He also worked incredibly well aerially, and remember this is an area where Wales have struggled at international level recently; perhaps Beetham could be the answer next season.

Moving back to the 13-jersey, where he played his part from the outside-centre position in two Welsh derby triumphs against Scarlets and Ospreys. More often than not, when the Blue and Blacks were on the front foot, he was the first receiver and worked well to open up the space for winger Bowen to score.

One of his better performances in a Blue and Black shirt this season, aside from a wayward pass to Basham on the outside, he was one of the standouts in the impressive win.

In his last game in Wales, following a move over the Bridge next season. It was definitely not the most pleasing of farewells in the Welsh capital, as at times was poor in defence. Compared to his teammate in the centre, he was not receiving the plaudits at the full-time whistle.

Despite being replaced by Steffan Emanuel late on, his ending at the Arms Park could, and should have been a lot better.

The speedster, who has had spells with both Wales U20s and Cardiff RFC in Super Rygbi Cymru, went hunting for his first try for the club since facing Racing 92 in Europe. That wait did not last long in the encounter, after he showcased his speed to score with a picturesque finish in the corner.

Yet another impressive showing from the winger.

With Callum Sheedy unavailable due to sustaining an injury in last Friday’s 40-17 defeat against Glasgow, Lloyd wore the 10 jersey for the first time since facing Exeter in the EPCR Challenge Cup. After the start he didn't want, he worked tremendously well in his side's attack.

It was a brilliant step to his outside which secured Beetham’s brace, and he expertly stretched over to score his own in the first-half. If the hosts’ finishing came from not being in the corner, then perhaps the acute angles that faced the outside-half from the tee would have seen the hosts feel more comfortable in the latter stages of the contest.

The South African scrum-half was perhaps playing for bragging rights against his fellow countrymen, and played brilliantly throughout. He regathered possession following the Stormers reducing the deficit as the opening 40 minutes advanced.

Kept his side’s tempo up when in attack, and was one of his side’s better defenders.

Making his first league start since he faced Ospreys on New Year's Day, Southworth was being well beaten when it came to scrum time, as the Blue and Blacks were unable to build off it in the early exchanges.

Following the loose-head being penalised after a catch and drive, this was followed by his side’s first success around the set-piece. Despite his score being chalked off late in the first half, he was replaced by the newly selected Welsh squad member, Rhys Barratt, after 46 minutes.

The Cardiff captain was sent off for ten minutes following ill-discipline around the set-piece area from his side early on, but it proved not to be costly. His arrows at lineout time were firing straight and worked well around the breakdown area, and was replaced at the end of the third quarter by Dafydd Hughes.

After his heroics at the Parc y Scarlets, the tight-head did not get off to the best of starts at scrum time, and within the opening quarter was more often than not on the back foot. Apart from the odd carry or hit in defence, his evening was cut short as he was replaced early in the second-half by Keiron Assiratti.

Nott had his moments around the lineout, and his work rate was good defensively in what was a decent outing from the 30-year-old.

The lineout was a key area for the hosts' success this evening, and the pair worked well here, with the second row claiming six lineouts. He also defended well around the set-piece, in a performance that was needed for his side’s success.

The Welsh international, like the rest of his counterparts in the back-row, had an impressive showing throughout. He worked well in defence and made a much-needed hit on outside-half Feinberg-Mngomezulu, which proved to be the catalyst for his side's third try of the contest.

It's always a consistent work ethic from the 32-year-old. He worked tirelessly around the Arms Park, and it was no shock to see the open-side run out first in the second-half. Was a dominant performance throughout, perhaps one of his best to date in a Blue and Black shirt?

One of the Blue and Blacks' main ball carriers, and it came as no shock to see the number eight make 14 carries and the second most metres carried in the first-half. Consistently utilised well in his side’s attack to get them over the gain-line and deservedly gained the Player of the Match honours.

16. Dafydd Hughes- 6

17. Rhys Barratt- 6

18. Keiron Assiratti- 5.5

19. Alun Lawrence- 5

20. Evan Lloyd- 5

21. Ellis Bevan- N/A

22. Steffan Emanuel- 5

23. Leigh Halfpenny- N/A