Blues go down to champs

Blues go down
By Andrew Collins
December 11 2006

A rain-soaked day at the Arms Park was made even more miserable following a 22-12 loss to Munster.

A dire display at stand off by Nick Robinson was perhaps the most frustrating thing for fans, while the tactics of Dai Young and his side must come under question.

 

It was an all guns blazing start by the home side, who quickly gained a 6-0 lead, with Ben Blair slotting two penalty’s after slicing an earlier effort. Munster prop Frederico Pucciariello was sin binned after being correctly cited for kneeing an opponent. The incident, which was superbly spotted by the touch judge, happened off the ball, with the Argentine helping Scott Morgan back to his felt, then kneeing him in the back as he got up!

 

But they made no advantage of the extra man, in fact losing 3 points during the 10 minutes. Irish outside half Ronan O’Gara converted the away side’s first penalty to make it 6-3, the way it stayed until Pucciariello’s return.

 

But literally in the same stoppage as Munster were back up to a full compliment, a terribly harsh yellow card was given to Martyn Williams for a high tackle which was neither dangerous nor purposeful. That was the first of many bad decisions by French ref Christophe Berdos, who was picky and whistle happy all match.

 

Munster showed their class in his absence however, as they began to get a foothold in the match.

 

And inevitably the Munster men reverted to their incredibly effective rolling maul, as normal, resulting in a try. It was Denis Leamy who flopped over for the visitors, giving them the lead for the first time in the match half hour in.

 

As Williams returned Cardiff did regain some of their domination, and ended the half in strong fashion, however they failed to convert their power into points, and instead gave away a foolish penalty on the stroke of half time. O’Gara converted to give Munster a 7 point lead, which in truth did not tell the story of the half, in which Cardiff had kept the champs under pressure, and took the game to them very well.

 

Half Time

 

Cardiff Blues 6 Munster 13

 

And in fairness the Blues did come out fighting once more as the second half kicked off. Having to chase the game, Xavier Rush opted for the corner from a penalty, which eventually came to nothing, and may well have been a costly decision.

 

Blair slotted over the two penalties that followed, to bring Cardiff within a point. But they failed to complete their comeback, and as Mike Phillips and Xavier Rush began making uncharacteristic errors. That coupled with Nicky Robinson’s predictable and useless kicking game prevented the backs from getting going, and allowed the men in red back into the match.

 

O’Gara then slotted over his third and fourth successive penalties as the game began to slip out of reach. 7 points adrift once more, and a hopeless outside half performance left the fans deflated going into the final 5 minutes.

 

And the result was put out of doubt when O’Gara converted a penalty to take the Blues even out of the losing bonus point margin.

 

Nick Robinson was subbed in the final moments, who walked to the bench past a stoned faced Dai Young.

 

Final Score

 

Cardiff Blues 12 Munster 22

 

theArmsPark.co.uk’s Man of the Match – Deiniol Jones

By no means the best of a bad bunch, had a very good game in the lineout and competed well with young lock partner James Goode against two experienced Lions. Was always at the breakdown, and is looking more and more like a Martyn Williams type workhorse every week.

 

Player ratings

Blair 7, Shanklin 6, J. Robinson 7, Stcherbina 7, Czekaj 6, N. Robinson 4, Phillips 5, Jenkins 6, Thomas 7, Filise 6, Jones 8, Goode 7, Morgan 7, M. Williams 7, Rush 6.