By Andrew Collins
November 5 2006

Cardiff achieved their first away Magners League victory of the season following a late comeback Vs Edinburgh.

The largely second string Blues side went over to Scotland as underdogs, against the ever-improving Edinburgh, whose recent results included wins over Munster and Leinster in the Heineken Cup.

 

Included in the much-changed side were Jamie Robinson and Xavier Rush, who both returned to the side following absences in recent weeks.

 

The duo were joined in rare start for John Yapp, Gareth Williams, James Goode and Ed Fairhurst while Rhys Shellard made his Blues debut at 7.

 

3 minutes in to the first half, Ben Blair made it crystal clear that Nicky Robinson won’t be resuming kicking duties, and paid off the loyalty put in him by Young, despite pressure from the WRU and Robinson himself.

 

The full back slotted over a massive 40-metre angled penalty to give the away side a massive lift and an early lead. However, five minutes later the scorers were back as they started, with Patterson providing his side with a penalty of their own.

 

But the deadlock was broken again just 2 minutes, when after a scrappy move, captain Xavier Rush crossed despite apparently being off side during the quite poor attack.

 

Blair missed the conversion from far right, while Patterson reduced the deficit on half hour.

 

Half Time

 

Edinburgh 6 Cardiff Blues 8

 

Blair started the second much alike the first half, slotting another long-range penalty, though this time needing the help of the cross bar to bounce on, before the linesmen’s’ flags were raised.

 

However when Kelly’s try, converted by Patterson, was scored on 60 minutes, it looked as though another defeat on the road was on the cards. The hooker picked up at the base of the ruck and drove 7 metres pasts the despairing Blues tackles to score to the left hand side of the posts, giving a 2-point lead after the Scot’s conversion.

 

And indeed they took their time about it. 82 minutes in, following a period of sustained pressure, Cardiff got their reward for what had been in all honesty, a dominating performance.

 

The Blues set up camp two metres from the line on the far right touchline, as Wayne Evans released the ball along the backs. His long pass to Nick Robinson was equalled with another long pass to sibling Jamie, his yet longer effort failed to go to hand, but Aussie flanker Ben White picked up well and feigned to go outside, before straightening up to get the all important score. His first try since signing for the region this summer, was converted sublimely by Blair who had looked near faultless from the boot all night.

 

It would appear that Cardiff had the game won there and then, but when play was resumed on 83 minutes, fans were left fearing the possibility of still losing the match. However instead, the away side went one better and robbed Edinburgh of their only consolation, a losing bonus point. A gap opened up, duly filled by Wayne Evans, he quickly fed Xavier Rush who did the right thing by off-loading to debuton winger, Thomas James.

 

The Cardiff RFC top scorer was brought into the squad because of his excellent form with the club side, and looked sharp in his short-stint. His first touch was strong and confident, taking on 4 Scots and returning the ball, however later in the game had fumbled a pass with the line beckoning. However he made no such mistake this time, flying down the touchline and evading the final tackle to cross for a brilliant debut try, leaving fans optimistic of his next appearance.

 

Blair of course converted as the 86^th minute ran in, but there was not enough time to grab a 4^th, bonus point try, though given we were still losing on 81 minutes, I’m sure wont bother Dai all too much.

 

Final Score

 

Edinburgh 13 Cardiff Blues 23

 

B Blair; M Luveitasau, J Robinson, M Stcherbina, C Czekaj; N Robinson, E Fairhurst; J Yapp,G Williams, T Filise, D Jones, J Goode, S Morgan, R Shellard, X Rush (capt).

D Goodfield, B Davies, W Evans, N Macleod, T James, B White.

 

theArmsPark.co.uk’s Man of the Match – Jamie Robinson

Despite brother Nick getting the TV’s MOtM award, and Ben Blair having a fabulous game, it was Jamie who stood out for me as the key man. His defence at time was demonic, with strong, passionate tackles showing his worth to this Cardiff side. He’s been dropped to the bench this year with the Stitch-Shanks combo, and that will have hurt him, but he stood up and showed that not only is he a top class performer, but he could still compete for either one of the two centre births. Not his greatest game ever in attack, but was not found wanting in any aspect and looked like he wanted to play from start to finish.