The Blue & Blacks ran in six tries to secure maximum points, collecting both a bonus for scoring four tries and an extra point for winning by more than 15.
But while the scoreboard was emphatic, Fish insisted the manner of the win – on the road and after a stuttering first half – was what pleased him most.
“First game of the season, momentum swung back and forth for both teams. To be truthful, first half we didn’t really fire any shots, and we just relied on a bit of individual quality from certain individuals,” said Fish.
“But we challenged the boys at half time to be better in what we’ve trained in pre-season and, to be fair to us, we were better.
“To come up to north Wales and get six points for the first game of the season – we’ll take that any day of the week.”
Cardiff had led 20-19 at half time thanks to scores from Dewi Cross, Ben Fry and Ieuan Davies.
But with flanker Charlie Probert outstanding for RGC, the home side refused to go away. Even when Joe Goodchild and Lucas de la Rua pushed Cardiff clear, Probert’s second try dragged the game back to 34-31.
Only in the closing stages did Cardiff put the result beyond doubt.
Further tries from Goodchild and de la Rua, along with a penalty from replacement Lloyd Lucas, sealed a win that underlined the visitors’ attacking depth.
RGC’s other tries came from props Gareth Parry and Patrick Nelson – on his 50th appearance – plus full-back Dion Jones. Billy McBryde converted three.
Elsewhere on the opening weekend, last season’s beaten finalists Ebbw Vale began strongly with a 36-17 bonus-point win over Aberavon.
Wing Dafydd Thomas bagged a first-half brace, while Morgan Richards, Curtis Gregory and a penalty try rounded off the Steelmen’s scoring.
Evan Lloyd kicked 11 points as Ebbw claimed all six on offer. Aberavon responded through Felix Gilbert and Charlie Thomas, but the visitors were outgunned.
At the Brewery Field, Bridgend Ravens staged the comeback of the day.
Replacement hooker Evan Yardley’s 80th-minute try, converted by Luke Price, snatched a 27-24 win over Carmarthen Quins.
The Quins had led in both halves and thought Elis Price’s late penalty had sealed it, only for the Ravens to strike at the death.
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Meanwhile, Pontypool extended their formidable home record with a 25-13 victory over Swansea.
Rhodri Cole, Morgan Allen and Evan Wood grabbed the tries, with Kieran Meek adding points from the tee.
Tom Hancock’s men have now gone a full year unbeaten in league games at Pontypool Park, underlining their growing status.
But it was Cardiff’s away-day triumph that perhaps set the most significant tone for the new campaign.
Fish knows the performance was imperfect, but the points tally was maximum. For a side still smarting from last season’s semi-final exit, the result could provide an ideal launchpad.
