Try double secures opening win

Match Report
By Andrew Collins
September 2 2006

Second half tries from Chris Czekaj and Scott Morgan allowed the Cardiff Blues to celebrate an opening match win.

Tries:
Czekaj
Morgan

Pens:
Robinson (4)

Dai Young congratulated his side on a well deserevd victory this evening, but must be worried by the serious handling errors that came in as the game drew to a close.

The first half saw the Blues playing some fine rugby, dominating the understrengthed European Champions right from kick off and gaining he majority of pressure. However; they failed to turn their hard work into points, as numerous oppertunities were spawned rom the linkes of Chris Czekaj and Xavier Rush.

Cardiff took the initiative with a Robinson penalty 10 minutes in, only for Munster to level the game moments later as infringements began to creep in. The home side added to their tally twice more as the firts half came to a close, but other chances from Rhys Thomas and Mosese Luviatasau were missed. Munster came close to giving away a penalty try and should certainly have been given a sin bin when they didn't allow 10 meters after an offside offence minutes before. Instead Robinson slotted over from easy range.

Cardiff went in at the half, having by far outplayed their opponents, but having just a 6 point margin for their efforts. It was an encouraging start but you couldn't help but feel frustarted with the final pass always being dropped, or the silly kicks and flimsy defence. It was a genuine worry that the agme should've been all wapped up, but instead lay very much in either sides reach.

Half Time
Cardiff Blues 9 Munster 3

The second half started much the same, with Munster clawing back 3 points early on, but eventually burst into life as Cardiff claimed the first of their 2, successfully finished, tries. With the Irishmen deploying a rush defence, Mike Phillips' pass to Marc Strchbina lloked at first to be a hospital pass, but the ever-impressive South African centre wriggled his way through the pressing Munster shirts magnificently , before popping a pass to Chris Czkaj who converted in the left hand corner. Nick Robinson failed with his extra 2 point attempt.

Just as with busses, 2 came along at once as the Blues scored a carbon copy try this time through Scott Morgan. Though ther were more passes involved in the build up, with Czek's, Sidoli and Rhys Thomas all involved in a move down the left, as TR's final pass set new boy Scott Morgan on his way to a debut try. The excelent flanker lasted the length; just; to cross the line in the same spot of CC did moments before. Robinson's kick also looked like a replay, as he missed what was in fairness a difficult kick.

It looked like Cardiff would then romp home and could even secure all 5 points, but the game became disjointed as Munster began calling on water boys and physios betwen each stoppage. The tactic clearly worked however, as Cardiff failed to get back in their stride with Munster beginning to make their way back into the game.

Any revival then looked short-lived when Tim Ryan and Donnacha Ryan were sinned binned in qick succession, but against all the odds it was infact Munster who made the most of the free space.

After Nick Robinson added a Cardiff penalty, Tim Ryan returned to his 14-man side to bulldose his way through a weak Martyn Williams tackle and score for a converted try. That brought the scores to 22-13, which neither flattered the Blues, or told the full story.

Full Time
Cardiff Blues 22 Munster 13

Though there were many niggled and errors, the Arms Park side can be pleased with their opening performance, and most importantly a win, without conceding a bonus point.

There were great individual games from Scott Morgan and theArmsPark.co.uk's official man of the match, Rob Sidoli, though in general there were no other stand-outs in what was really a good team performance.

theArmsPark.co.uk's Man of The Match - Rob Sidoli
Long overdue a good game, but at last produced the kind of form that makes him such a wanted man throughout Brittish rugby. The line-out functioned excellently, taking 100% of our own throw-ins aswell as pinching a handfull during the game. He was also the leading light in restarts taking a large number of kick offs.

The Blues now have a free weekend next week, then go to Ospreys the following Tuesday, and things get no easier as an away trip to Dublin for Leinster is next up. They then a return to the Arms Park on the 22nd September for the visit of Glasgow.