Ferrari 1 - Blues Prevail In Thriller

Blues Prevail In Thriller

By Andrew Collins April 12 2008
The Cardiff Blues came back from 14-0 down to win a magnificent rugby match between them and local rivals, the Llanelli Scarlets. In an end-to-end match, the teams shared 8 tries as the balance of the game swayed in both directions, eventually ending up in a home victory.

The Blues claimed all 5 points, although gave one bonus point to the visitors, to ensure revenge for last months 35-17 drubbing at Stradey Park. The victory takes Cardiff 5 points clear of the Scarlets as the highest placed Welsh side, with just 3 games to go.

In an awful opening 10, the Blues were 14-0 down, similar to a week ago in Toulouse. However, with Nick Robinson back on board, the Blues ship was sailed to victory thanks to tries from Robinson, Tom James, Marc Stcherbina and Ben Blair, while the fly half's drop goal ensured Llanelli didn't claim a losing bonus point on top of their 4-try reward.

Turnover ball and unorganised defence were to blame for the first try, Dwayne Peel crossing after a pass from Regan King, while their second try came immediately after, Stephen Jones' inside pass released Jon Davies for the second score.

And it looked as though it just wasn't to be our day when Jamie Robinson raced in for what looked like a certain try, only to pull up and stop clutching his groin. He was replaced by Tom Shanklin, with Alfie switching to centre, and Shanks to wing. But it was that tactical switch which set the Blues on their way.

Cardiff came close again as Jamie's brother Nick should have celebrated the regions first try of the afternoon, but he knocked on with the line beckoning.

Alix Popham was then sin binned for killing the ball as the Blues really turned the pressure on Phil Davies' side. Blair slotted the penalty as at long last, the home side registered some points.

But they didn't have much longer to wait, as Robinson made amends for his earlier knock on, the fly half befitted from Gareth Thomas' break to score unopposed, Blair getting the conversion to take the blues within 4 points.

The home side came close twice again before half time, firstly Tom Shanklin was hauled down close to the line, while Gareth Thomas was held up. But Cardiff were determined to go in ahead at the break, and thanks to a majestic solo try from Tom James, they did. The insanely good winger ran string and fast through the Scarlets defence, who were all left grabbing dust as the Merthyr boy crossed for a great try. Blair conversion ensured a 17-14 lead.

And it was James again to thank for the Blues extending their lead again, as the second half kicked off. He broke the line and made the big yards, before finding Marc Stcherbina with the offload, the popular centre celebrated his return after 7 absent months with a try under the posts. Needless to say, the Kiwi full back slotted the extras.

But there were more twists and tales to come in the match, as the West Wales side looked to overcome a 24-14 deficit. Morgan Stoddard cam off the bench to change the visitors fortunes, while Jason Spice was unfairly sin binned.

In fact, it's worth mentioning here how pathetic the standard of referring was. Nigel Owens as well as Nigel Whitehouse were guilty of incredible bias towards the Scarlets, as numerous line outs went not straight, players went diving in at the side, and over the top, and were getting away with murder. The officiating was so poor in fact, that the trio should come out and apologise, as I don't think I've ever seen a worse performance from any 3 officials.

Anyway, with Spice binned, the Scarlets took full advantage of the extra space, and scored two nice tries, with the second particularly well created. First of all, an excellent Stoddard attack broke the Cardiff defence all too easily, and he gave a successful offload to winger Mark Jones to run in up the touchline. Jones missed the conversion.

But as in the first half, the Scarlets scored straight from the kick off once more. The restart was too deep and straight to Mark Jones, whose counter attack began the fantastic move. After a series of passes, Peel was one-on-one with Blair, but gave a good offload as Stoddard went over near the corner to bring the scores level, while Jones' successful conversion put the match back in their favour. The try being the Scarlets 4^th also ensured they wouldn't leave with nothing.

Ritchie Rees came on for Jason Spice and made an immediate impact, the little scrum half burst through a gap in the visitors defence and raced into the 22. Mark Jones was lying all over the ball and was rightfully sin binned as the non-stop action continued. Ben Blair took his opportunity to take the lead, slotting a penalty to give Cardiff a 1 point advantage.

And it was the full back who crossed for Cardiff's 4^th try, he was the benefactor of an overlap as Cardiff spread the ball from left to right in the 22. His first miss of the night meant Llanelli were within 7 points, but a last gasp Nick Robinson drop goal secured victory for the Arms Park side, and took the visitors outside the bonus point margin.

The fantastic match was enjoyed by over 10,000 people, while the atmosphere matched the quality of the game. Tom James was given man of the match, and it would be hard to take that away from him, but for me, it was all about Nick Robinson. The fly half showed exactly why we've missed him, with a series of superb passes, attacks, and particularly in the second half, his touch kicking was magnificent.

But James was given the award, and in all fairness, he did look very special last night. Every time he touched the ball, the roar of expectation went up and he always looked like doing something special. There can be no bout after yesterdays performance that the young winger has what it takes to be a leading figure in Welsh rugby.

"That was outstanding, especially after the disappointment of last week's Heineken Cup loss to Toulouse. I'm just glad to be back playing after my injury, the fitness is coming back. My next aim is to try to prove a point ready for Wales' summer tour of South Africa."

Move over Shane Williams...

Blues (17) 35
Tries: N Robinson, James, Stcherbina, Blair
Cons: Blair (3)
Pens: Blair (2)
DG: N Robinson

Scarlets (14) 26
Tries: Peel, J Davies, M Jones, Stoddart
Cons: S Jones (3)

Blair, G. Thomas, J. Robinson, Stcherbina, James, N. Robinson, Spice, Yapp, R. Thomas, G. Powell, D. Jones, Morgan, Molitika, M. Williams, Lewis.

G. Williams for G. Thomas (68), Shanklin for J. Robinson (13), Rees for Spice (64), Filise for G. Powell (61), Tito for Morgan (64), Rush for Lewis (57). Not Used: Flanagan.

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