Anglo-Welsh Cup - Round 1

By Zippy
October 2 2006

Brief review of the action in the 1st Round of the Anglo-Welsh cup that saw the Welsh teams win 3 out of the 4 games they were involved in. For details read on.

Ospreys (21) 49
Tries: S. Williams, B. Williams, Parker (2), Marshall, Henson
Cons: Henson (5)
Pens: Henson (3)

Gloucester (6) 19
Tries: Richards
Pens: Mercier (4)
Cons: Mercier

The Ospreys bounced back after the mauling at Ravenhill to trounce Gloucester at the Liberty Stadium by 6 tries to one.

Gavin Henson strugged off recent criticism to deliver a great performance at 10 and capped it off with a great try late on.

The pack fronted up and Sonny Parker has given coach Gareth Jenkins plenty to think about ahead of the Australia match next month.

Leicester: (20) 41
Tries: J Murphy, Penalty, Buckland, Jennings, Humphreys
Cons: Burke 3, Humphreys 2
Pens: Burke 2

Dragons: (10) 17
Tries: Williams, Morgan
Cons: Warlow, Sweeney
Pen: Warlow

The Dragons were undone like many before them by a powerful Leicester Tigers side at Welford Road, the end scoreline reflects the gap in glass the Dragons will need to overcome this season.

Positives for the Dragons were the return of the Wales players Owen, Cooper & Chateris and the continued form of Kevin Morgan.

I don't think this competition is high on Paul Turner's priority list as he tries to make best use of his limited resources. 

Cardiff Blues (17) 36
Tries: Jenkins, Czekaj, Luveitasau
Cons: Blair (3)
Pens: Blair (4)
Drop-goal: Robinson

London Wasps (17) 20
Tries: Lewsey, Brooks
Cons: Staunton (2)
Pens: Staunton
Drop-goal: Staunton

Cardiff showed great improvement from last season with a good win over last seasons champions Wasps at the Arms Park on a big sporting day for Cardiff teams which saw 30,000 spectators spilt between Soccer and Rugby.

Gethin Jenkins is looking better every game this season and was part of a Cardiff pack that gained parity and allowed the backs to run riot. Ben Blair showed he will be a points machine and may prove vital as they look to re-pay years of underacheivement.

Llanelli Scarlets (12) 26
Tries: Daniel, Afeaki, Davies, N Thomas
Cons: Jones (3)

Harlequins (7) 7
Tries: Monye
Cons: Jarvis

Llanelli were a shadow of the side that hammered Leinster the week before but were still good enough to gain a bonus point win over the struggling Quins.

Darren Daniel continues to look a player that will have to be considered for the World Cup in 2007 and the "King" also showed a few touches.

They are Wales' best bet for glory this season and may target the Magners league as opposed to this competition with 2 away trips to come.