Poor Blues Lose in Brizzle
Dai Young
By Andrew Collins
August 30 2005
Cardiff Blues have lost their second warm-up game in an away match to Guinness Premiership new-boys, Bristol. The team was boosted from last weeks Sardis Road encounter with returns from the Welsh tourists, but lost the match with a woeful first half display.
Starting line-up:
Matthew Nuthall, Chris Czekaj, Rhys Williams (C), Tristan Davies, Craig Morgan, Nick Macleod, Michael Phillips
Nathan Llewellyn, Gareth Williams, Martyn Jones, Deiniol Jones, James Goode, Maama Molitika, Mark Lewis, Robin Sowden-Taylor
Bench:
Nick Gill, Lee Thomas, Dai Flanagan, Nicky Robinson, Rhys Shellard, Andy Powell, Robert Sidoli, Craig Quinnell, Ben Evans, Rhys Thomas
The Blues were 7-0 down inside a minute as Gareth Williams knocked on from the kick off, nobody reacted for Cardiff, but Bristol were quick to the ball, spread it wide to Vaughn Going who scored in the corner.
And then before 5 minutes had passed Bristol had scored again. A specalative kick to touch from fly half Jason Strange fell short with Matthew Nuthall and Chris Czekaj trottting up to collect it, there was confusion between the two, and some great pressure made Matt rush into a hurried pick up and sloppy pass to Chris, who then knocked on. Bernardo Stratoni gathered with 40 yards to go, and Rhys Williams to beat. Rhys only needed to put his shoulder into the tackle to take Startoni into touch but tried to take him out, the italian slid through the tackle to imbarrass the travelling supporters. Fortunatedly the conversion was missed.
Nick Macleod and Jason Strange exchanged penalties before the Blues finally woke up. Macleod threw a great delayed pass to center Rhys Williams, he burst through the defence and threw a great pass to Craig Morgan who beat full back Stratari to the corner. Macleod mised the conversion, and with 2 minutes to go Jason Strange added another 3 points.
Half time score, Bristol 18 Blues 8, it had been a useless performance and with just a week to go until the Blues travel to Galway for the season opener, fans are already asking why the preperations for the new season have been so poor.
Dai Young bolstered the forward at half time, bringing new recruit Andy Powell, Grand-Slam winner Rob Sidoli and Craig Quinnell on within 5 minutes of the restart.
There were very few highlight for either set of fans, but Craig Morgan dropped a pass that left the winger 40 yards of open space to the try line.
The forwards had picked up their game with the inroduction of players, and the backs, as expected, came alive when key man Nick Robinson made his first appearence of the season on 58 minutes. The outside half is such a big player for the Blues this year, and has already been tipped by many to hold the key to any sort of Blues success.
His intrduction also steadied a nervous Mike Phillips. The two began creating gaps and seizing opertunies that Macleod simply couldn't.
And it was Nicky Robinson who made the Blues next try, a neat pass from Phillips gave Nicky a yard of space, he broke tackles and hacked a great kick-and-chase for Rhys Williams as the captain scored his first try under the new title, Robinson coverted suddenly giving the Blues a fighting hope at 18-15, however a penatly from substitute Danny Grey did quash the momentum.
Andy Powell looked in good form and almost drove over to score what would've been an away debut try, but was well tackled just short.
Robinson again created as this time he and Macleod released Craig Quinnell who tore through and collapsed over the line with players hanging of him. Robinson converted as it looked as though the Blues would steal the win in the 79th minute, but a poor restart for the Blues lost them the ball in a ruck in front of the posts. Replacement Danny Grey sat back and scored a cruel drop-goal infront of the near 3,000 fans.
The game was not won by Bristol, but lost by Cardiff.
With a week to go, there are major fears about players match fitness and preperation. The maximum game time players have had is under 2 full games, with most under 1 full match. It's been a useless pre-season for the squad which has left no real hope for an away win in Connact, the place where last seasons ONLY win came.
Players missing for next weeks opener are Jamie Robinson, Mark Sterchibina, Xavier Rush, Kort Schubert, Martyn Williams, Gethin Jenkins, and Tom Shanklin while there are also major doubts over Dean Dewndney.