Shanklin Returns
Blues Open CCS and ML Account
Shanklin Returns
By Andrew Collins
September 27 2009
Cardiff Blues fans breathed a huge sigh of relief last night, as their side nervously held on to beat the Scarlets 19-15 and register a first win in the Cardiff City Stadium.
Shanklin Returns
September 27 2009
Cardiff Blues fans breathed a huge sigh of relief last night, as their side nervously held on to beat the Scarlets 19-15 and register a first win in the Cardiff City Stadium.
Following three miserable Magners matches, Cardiff finally got their first win of the season last night despite doing their best to throw the game away in the last 15 minutes.
The home side had been enjoying the lion's share of possession, territory and points for the majority of the encounter, but nearly ending up losing the game as the West Walians found two tries in as many minutes to whip up a frenzy amongst the 12,500 watching supporters.
Going into the match, the spotlight was well and truly on Blues outside half Sam Norton-Knight, who's appalling debut had led Cardiff to an opening day home loss against Edinburgh just three weeks ago. The Australian international certainly improved on that display on Saturday, but that doesn't really say a huge amount given his shocking debut.
He looked far more comfortable with ball in hand, and it was encouraging to see him throwing some nice lofted passes - very ‘Robinsonesque' at times - but his kicking was still wayward, and he looked extremely nervous in defensive positions. Ultimately, he came through the entire 80 minutes quite well, but with the Heineken Cup looming large, Sam has a lot of gears to go up, in a very short space of time.
Elsewhere, the return of Tom Shanklin was every bit as good as expected. Shanks looked terrific in attack, continuing alongside Jamie Roberts in a bull-dozing midfield that will again be key to any Blues success this season. His comeback is a huge boost for the Blues, and his massive dump tackle as the Scarlets were looking for their winning try just highlighted his commitment and importance to the region.
Credit must also be given to Ritchie Rees who really seems to have stepped his game up since Gareth Coopers arrival. Rees has outclassed the former British Lion so far this campaign and the game deteriorated when he went off after 65 minutes. Having been number 2 to Jason Spice last season, he looks ready to finally step out of the shadow and make a name for himself.
The game itself was littered with kicks, particularly in the first half, and so there was scarcely any pattern to either side. It was the home side who crossed first however, captain Paul Tito scoring in the corner after some good attacking rugby from the backs.
The visitors were giving away far too many penalties, and Ben Blair was in fine form with the boot, that allowed Cardiff a half time lead of 13-3.
The Blues must've had a fair old team talk at the break though, because they came out firing at the start of the second half. Even with Jamie Roberts off the field, who limped off worryingly, the backs were making good in-roads through the Scarlets defence.
Richard Mustoe found space out wide on a number of occasions, while even Gareth Thomas wound back the years fending off Mark Jones to go on a run of his own , but despite their dominance, the Blues were unable to cross for a second try.
Blair kept the scoreboard ticking over with a further two penalties, and thank goodness he did as the Scarlets began to find their own purple patch.
With Xavier Rush, Jamie Roberts and Ritchie Rees all off the pitch and the squad looking desperately low on confidence after recent results, it was no surprise that a good Scarlets try was followed almost instantly by a second.
Priestland missed the second conversion leaving just 4 points between the two sides and setting up a real nail biting finale.
Despite having several chances to play the remaining moments in the Scarlets half, the Blues continued inviting pressure on themselves and were forced to dig in deep for 10 minutes as the visitors set up camp in the home 22.
But some wonderful defending, reminiscent of the Biarritz away performance last season, meant the Blues held on for their first ever victory at the Cardiff City Stadium as well as their first win of the Magner's League campaign.
With that monkey finally of their back, hopefully, the season starts now.
Blair; Mustoe, Shanklin, Roberts, G. Thomas; Norton-Knight, Rees; Yapp, T. Thomas, Filise, Davies, Tito, Molitika, Sowden-Taylor, Rush.
Sweeney for Mustoe (77), Evans for Roberts (38), Cooper for Rees (68), Morris for Filise (60), A. Powell for Molitika (41), Jones for Rush (62).
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Blues Open CCS and ML Account
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 27/09/2009 13:47
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Re: Blues Open CCS and ML Account
Posted by: Pencoed blue (IP Logged)
Date: 27/09/2009 14:20
Spot on unusually
Re: Blues Open CCS and ML Account
Posted by: amstel (IP Logged)
Date: 27/09/2009 14:52
Very good account of the game Andrew, with a lot of positivity.
Now the season starts.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:27:14:54:11 by amstel.
Now the season starts.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:27:14:54:11 by amstel.
Re: Blues Open CCS and ML Account
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 27/09/2009 15:10
The game showed what we all know. We are OK with of first choice but after that we struggle.
Re: Blues Open CCS and ML Account
Posted by: amstel (IP Logged)
Date: 27/09/2009 17:56
Quote:I suppose thats the same in most sides.ATTR
The game showed what we all know. We are OK with of first choice but after that we struggle.
Re: Blues Open CCS and ML Account
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 27/09/2009 18:37
Munster, Leinster and the like have strong squads. We sadly do not.
Re: Blues Open CCS and ML Account
Posted by: bluebadger (IP Logged)
Date: 27/09/2009 20:00
I think we have the best full strength side in the Magners if a miracle happens and 9+10 SORTS ITSELF OUT(richie looked good last night though} but our squad is possibly the weakest apart fron Connaught and Glasgow
Re: Blues Open CCS and ML Account
Posted by: amstel (IP Logged)
Date: 27/09/2009 20:32
Winning 16-3 with 10 mins remaining. The game went wayward after our 8 & 9, Rushie and Rich went off, there seemed to be no control neither at the breakdown nor at the scrum,
At least we held them out, good turnover at the end from Sweeney, Better from SNK, lets get behind the guy, he needs some support from his own fans.
At least we held them out, good turnover at the end from Sweeney, Better from SNK, lets get behind the guy, he needs some support from his own fans.
Re: Blues Open CCS and ML Account
Posted by: ATTR (IP Logged)
Date: 27/09/2009 22:55
I'd suggest he needs to earn our respect and support.
Re: Blues Open CCS and ML Account
Posted by: Wellyn (IP Logged)
Date: 28/09/2009 13:19
I agree ATTR, but he has started to show what may be to come. It was a marked improvement on the first outing he made, still work to do, so not getting carried away.
I think more praise to the forwards this week however, they tried and for the most part (70 mins anyway) set the platform pretty well.
I think more praise to the forwards this week however, they tried and for the most part (70 mins anyway) set the platform pretty well.
