By Andrew Collins
March 4 2006

The Blues successfully put to bed a terrible start to 2006 with a stunning demolition of Lynn Jones’ Ospreys. Things aren’t suddenly all perfect at the Arms Park, but certainly the sun is beginning to shine once more on the grassy plain.

It was as ever a terrible start for Cardiff, with Ospreys outside half Shaun O’Connor getting a drop goal during advantage for a penalty. While The O’s did get take the lead within 2 minutes, Nicky Robinson struck back with a penalty 30 seconds later after a good restart for the home side.

 

Robinson continued to add penalties, and was putting full back Gavin Henson under huge pressure with some great long kicks. Two more successful attempts with just one reply from Henson meant the Blues led 9-6 after 20 minutes, with Cardiff thoroughly deserving their lead.

 

Then came a moment of brilliance, a well taken line out from James Good provided a quick platform for Mike Phillips to feed a flat pass to Nick Robinson. The fly half handed off his opposite number before running the full half to touch down in the corner. He converted his own try to give the Blues a great 16-6 lead.

 

The Blues looked worth their lead, and continued to attack with Nick Robison at the heart of everything. Another great break from the Welsh international broke through the defence, and when a long pass was floated over to Craig Morgan it looked like the Blues were set to extend their score, but a great intervention from Stefan Terblanche stopped the ball reaching the winger.

 

However, the fans didn’t have long to wait before seeing the home side cross for a 2^nd try.

 

Jamie Robinson found half a yard of space and darted through it like himself of old. Brought down just outside the 22, the ball was recycled quickly and a great chip from the magnificent Robinson was gathered by Chris Czekaj to touch down just before the half.

 

Robinson missed the conversion, but a second try of the night meant the Blues went into the half 21-9 up.

 

Half Time:

Cardiff Blues 21 The Ospreys 9

 

Marc Stcherbina created the first try for the 2^nd half, a neat arch run found space to offload to Rhys Williams, who in turn fed Chris Czekaj. Still with plenty of work to do, the 19-year old handed off Shane Williams and rounded the little Welsh wing to take the Blues clear of the Ospreys.

 

James Bater hit back shortly after, a stong rolling maul bundled the captain over after winning a line-out in the Blues 22. O’Connor failed with the conversion and so the Blues still had a comfortable 12 point cushion.

 

But with half hour to go, the Blues put any comeback to bed.

 

Captain Rhys Williams combined well with Czekaj in the same right hand corner, and although just 5 meters out had lots to do. He came inside and back outside turning Welsh back rower Jonathan Thomas putting him on his back before diving over to complete a successful hat trick. Nick Robinson landed the conversion after enough attempts in that corner!

 

That try secured a 5 point win for the Blues, and a much needed confidence boost for the under pressure side.

 

But just to add salt into the Ospreys, Jamie Robinson rode a Henson tackle to cross over for the Blues 5^th try against the West Walians. Robinson again converted before the barrage of substitutions came on.

 

Final Score:

Cardiff Blues 40 The Ospreys 14

 

In fairness it was a very accomplished performance by the Blues, and the 4 try bonus point will prove very helpful as the end of the season approaches.

 

It’s a rare double for the capital having beaten the Ospreys at the Liberty 28-9 in December, and it now means they’ve taken 9 points from a possible 10 and conceded none against the Celtic League Champions. Cardiff spend tonight top of the Welsh sides, having played 2 more games than the Scarlets who are just 3 points behind.

 

The win also means their baron spell for tries is well and truly over, and they’ve managed their first win of 2006.

                                                                 

These two games against the Ospreys have possibly been the finest two performances under Dai Young. Bearing in mind the Blues were missing Tom Shanklin, Andy Powell and Jonah Lomu as well as the international trio, there’s many many positives to be taken.

 

However, we’ve been here before and it’s all gone wrong, so no one is getting carried away, and after the last 3 games, it’ll take more than just one game to repay the fans who’ve stuck with them, but it was a good start.

 

Cardiff’s main aim now will be to guarantee themselves a Heineken Cup spot by finishing 3^rd or higher out of the 4 welsh regions.

theArmsPark.co.uk’s Man of the Match: Nick Robinson

It’s harsh on Chris Czekaj not to get the award having scored a great hat-trick, but Robinson was at the heart of everything Cardiff did well on Friday night. His out-of-hand-kicking display was superb, and his running side, majestic. We are so dependent on Nicky, and it’s a shame these performances are few and far between, but when he’s on that kind of form, Cardiff would be a match for anyone. He completely eclipsed the ‘golden boy’ in front of caretaker coach Scott Johnsen, and with Steven Jones struggling to be fit for Italy next weekend, Robinson may well find his week gets  lot better.