Saints give new Cardiff outfit the Blues

Nice Welsh chap.
By Laurie, WMS & DJ
August 30 2003

Left MK at 1 o'clock. Thanks to the warnings of delays on the M4 we knew why there were queues but no real problem. Parked easily by the Castle at about 4.15. First stop a cup of coffee and first person we met was Steve Williams - to be cast in the role of water carrier for the night.

Friendly guy and had a good chat. Saw signs of kilts which made us think the Celtic connections were spreading but found out why later. We then had a walk in Bute Park by the castle and made our way to the River Taff (is that where Taffy's comes from) and followed it down to the Millenium Stadium.

Went round the outside and saw the mosaics for each of the 1999 World Cup teams and name plates for each squad member. Names like Scelzo, Mendez, Lam, Luca, Connors brought warm memories. It also reminded me of an important day 3 1/2 months earlier when Southampton were in the Cup Final.

So to the match. The first people we met were WMS and Son. A real pleasure. In all there were about 40 Saints fans in the ground we'd say.
Saints started as per programme. We began at a fast pace and had early signs of the way the backs intended to play.

Some great handling, great interplay but without the final product. Sharky looked to be having some problems finding Shane. We scored two tries in the half and continued to be intent on playing good rugby. It was possible to see ealry on that the backs were interchanging and the play looked a bit like 7's rugby played with 15 players. No one stood out but Chris Hyndman had a good half, and Bruce looked very comfortable.

The forwards played well too. We didn't lose a lineout all night I think. The scrum was OK but looked as if it could be our weak point in some games. Renault went off quite early with what seemed a minor knock. Budge was to go off in the second half with what was a bigger injury. Cardiff finished the half strongly but only scored one penalty. They played rugby of 10 years ago, too much kicking, too slow and predictable. Shame.

We made quite a few changes for the 2nd half. On came JL, Oriol and Johnny Howard. By the end of the match we had used all our squad. And do you know what our performance level went up and up. We scored 3 tries in the second half and all were from distance.

Territorial domination continued from the firat half and Cardiff only once got close to out line. Out first up tackling was very good and if someone broke through our covering was equally good.

The backs were the revelation again. Interchanging of position, fast hands, good off-loads, incisive play. I enjoyed it. Bruce grew stronger and stronger and I saw for the first time why Ben Russell is highly rated. He played at pace and initiated some great dummy runs and scissors.

The way all players came onto the ball at pace was breath taking at times. It looked like the missing link in our play was falling into place. Smudge has made us difficult to beat and difficult to score tries against. so the next step has to be the backs.

The play wasn't perfect but it showed signs of the way can and want to play. A great workout. Players who shone in the second half included Howard who took his 7's confidence with him, Shane Drahm distributed well and a couple of good breaks and Matt Lord, for wait for it, some great runs including the try of the night which started in our 20 metre area on the left and followed an inverted 'S' to score on the right. Lordy raced in from 20 metres at vast pace.

Even though we had lots of changes the performance went up. This shows we are a squad, it shows we are pretty fit and it also showed that Cardiff could have a long season. They are missing players but so are we.

It was the first time the first team had been on the pitch together but as a result of the performance there are more questions about the possible starting 15 for Sale.

Oriol didn't take any conversions but I missed most because I was texting Rich at the time. It was interesting to have three kickers on the pitch at the same time. No Oriol, you weren't one of them.

Amusing moments? The Cardiff fans were baying at the ref after he gave us a penalty on the other side. He notices the touch judges flag and calls him over and has a long chat. It couldn't have been Budge because he was off by then. He then goes back to the play and gives..............us a penalty.

On another occasion Oriol ducked out of taking Quinnell on the outside. Both funny and worrying.
Later in the match and right in front of us Nick had let a rolling ball run into touch. We took a quick throw only to be pulled back because the touch judge has his flag showing a Cardiff throw. He then realises his mistake and transfers the flag to his left hand. Ironic applause follows and the ref looks daggers.

Great reception for the team at the end and well deserved. We had to get back to MK so could not chat with the fans. Andy Newman was there and it was good to see him again.

Enjoyed Cardiff once more. The pitch looked good and the fans were friendly. Got back at 11.30 but still feel as if I am in the car. It was a great decision to go, we were treated to a fine performance in a pre-season friendly and all it does is make us more hopeful for the coming months.

And those kilts....... Wales play Scotland today.

Laurie

ALSO THERE..........

WMS:

If we can maintain the pace but cut out the errors NO-ONE will live with us. The speed and awareness shown by everyone was stunning and 50 would have been a fairer reflection. Cardiff play rugby of old - big fat boys up front who couldn't live with our mobile pack. Ben Golding's try would be try of the season if it had been televised - the ball went through so many pairs of Saints hands you lost count.

Substitutions were seamless - worrying injury to Budge - looked like shin or ankle - Renaud also went off but I think it was more of a precaution. The only slight downside may have been the three missed conversions (Shane got one and Bruce the other)

Dare I say it - I've only ever seen Rugby played like that in New Zealand! And NO I'm not going over the top. Cardiff were not good, but defended resolutely - we demonstrated that we had the ability to break them down and probed until the gaps appeared - the backs interchanged positions all through the game Bruce at 11, 10, 13 almost unnoticeably - but it was the pace that finally undid the opposition.

Improvements to be made: yes but hang on to your hats - what a season this looks like being.


Dave Jackson:

First of all well done Saints

Cardiff were poor but you can only beat the team put in front of you and we did that with ease. Totally dominated first 25 mins but only a Nick Beal try to show for it, have seen this before with Saints and it worries me a little that we could not turn possession and pressure into points. Cardiff had little to offer in first half about 1 kicked penalty

Second half kicked off and it was 'hats on wheels' - dont think after they kicked it off a Cardiff player touched the ball and good hands took us inside Cardiff 22. Handyman make a great break and was well supported as he made it over the line.. 12-3 Saints
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Cardiff replied with penalty and the fluffed another kick ,.. 12-6
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AT this stage Saints made a raft of replacements. Good play payed off and Seely made a 30m dash through the defence to score. Brucie took over
kicking at this stage to make it 19-6
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The next try was the best of the game (in my opinion) , flowing move down the length of pitch and scored by John Balding (WHO?). After that Cardiff huffed and puffed and got nowhere and Matt Lord burst from a breakdown on Cardiff 22 and went over. Just as we looked at scoring again the (poor) ref Paul Adams put Cardiff out of tehre misery abd blew for full time,.. 29-6 Saints
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Not a great performance but a lot of promise shown. My Saints Man of the Match would have to be Nick Beal - very secure in defence - good in attack and one of only two Sainst to play the full 80 mins.
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Dave (at home in Canton- Cardiff)