Picking up where we left last season - Great!
Dissapointing
By Andrew Collins
September 5 2005
As Blue's fans we've become quite used to poor results and pathetic performances, but this is perhaps a new low. I'd put of writting this report in hope that i'd have eventually calmed down, however I don't think that's going to be possible, so instead here is the truth of the matter...
As many if not all Blues fans know, we have become relient on Nicky Robinson to create any sort of attacking position, if he's on form, we're a dangerous unit with much attacking prowess, but when he's having an off day, there's no-one we can call on for that vision.
Saturday was one of Nicky's bad days.
Team
Nick Macleod; Chris Czekaj, Rhys Williams (capt), Tristan Davies, Craig Morgan; Nicky Robinson, Mike Phillips; John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Martin Jones, Deiniol Jones, Robert Sidoli, Maama Molitika, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Andy Powell.
Ryan Powell, Lee Thomas, Matthew Nuthall, Ben Evans, Rhys Thomas, Craig Quinnell, Mark Lewis.
On paper, the side chosen represents the best team selection available (except Rhys Thomas at hooker) and so no-one can be blamed for expecting a good start to the season in Galway.
The first half failed to inspire as penaltys were exchanged between the two sides, Nicky Robinson getting the Blues 3 got the first to give the Blues the lead, but Warwick equalised not long after. Robert Sidoli and John Muldoon were both sin-binned after just 13 minutes of the season following a heavy brawl between the two sides. But an appauling 3-3 scoreline at half-time was evidence of a very drab first 40. However the Blues had been playing into a strong wind, so the second half would give them a major boost.
Using the wind to kick to the corners would've been the best solution, especially with the great form our forwards were in, yet we failed to change tactics and instead stuck to trying to play from deep through the backs.
A series of poor handling errors and knock-on's meant any potential try scoring oppertunity was wasted in the second half.
There was no arguing who the better side was however, Cardiff dominated the pack, the lineout and the possesion, but failed to turn chance after chance into any points.
Robinson's match, and therefore the Blues scoreline, was summed up with a second half penalty miss 20-meters out infront of the posts.
The deadlock was broken on the 53rd minute as Conor McPhillips strolled over in the corner after lazy tackling and poor drifting allowed the Irishman in. Warwick coverted from wide and added an excellent drop-gaol 20 minutes later as the Blues looks less and less likely to win.
Robinson added a penalty either side of Warwick's drop-goal, but failed with his own attempt at a drop-goal.
Despite feilding 9 internationals, Connacht picked up their first ever win over the region in what is a desperately emarrassing day for us fans.
"I was pleased to be level at half-time as I knew we had the strong in the second half, but we didn't play smart rugby and it seems we don't know how to win games. We were 20-to-30 points better that them and we didn't make it show, we have to address that."
Said head coach Dai Young after the game. Question marks will already be raised following this result over Dai's future. Tactics weren't cahnged and as he says we didn't play smart rugby, but where the buck stops for how they play is down to Young.
Ulster at home on Friday is a massive match, and will really tell us whether our optamism for this season is misplaced. Last years match saw the Blues scrape to a 16-12 win, but a 5-pointer may be needed to convince fans that the club has turned the corner and will challenge for this years celtic league.