By Andrew Collins
August 29 2006

Cardiff made a super start to the 06/07 season by picking up a 41-19 win over English club side Worcester.

Worcester finished last season in 8^th place while the Cardiff Blues ended as the highest place Welsh team, and were keen to continue on that form. Though missing Nicky Robinson, Chris Czekaj, John Yapp and Robin Sowden-Taylor, Dai Young was able to hand starting debuts to Mosese Luviatasau (Scrabble), Scott Morgan and Gary Powell, while Tongan prop Filise was present on the bench.

 

It was also a chance for youngsters Tom Reiley and Bradley Davies to stake a claim in the starting line up

 

The squad made a perfect start to the season, with a 7 try demolition of the Warriors. The new boys all took centre stage and dealt with it in brilliant fashion, while Bradley Davies stepped up to the mark in such a way as to be named man of the match by many spectators.

 

Tries came from Deiniol Jones, Bradley Davies, substitute Daffydd Hewitt and Xavier Rush in the first half, with Rhys Williams, Luviatasau and Martyn Williams all crossing in the second.

 

The performance was partiticularly pleasing for the way the Blues dominted the match. At the breakdowns, the forwards looked hungry and competative, securing top class ball for Mike Phillips and later in the second half, Wayne Evans and Darren Allinson. Of course this great work meant the backs were able to have xtra time and space to create a gap or get the ball wide.

 

It was also encouraging to see the forwards moving around the feild; looking as quick and dangerous with ball in hand as the backs. Bradley Davies was one stand out player who looked so comforatble in attack, helping set up a number of great moves.

 

There also seemed an extra bite to the side, who even though just in a friendly match, were aggressive and dogged in the scrums.

 

Rhys Williams had a splendid return to the side, while new winger Luviatasau looked incredibly quick, and showed gret strength with his try to sneak in at the far right corner.

 

Overall it was a hugely encouraging start to the season, and a could go a long way to preparing us for Munsters arrival in a fortnight. Of course it's those games that count, and we must be able to reproduce this kind of performance on a regular basis. If we can do that, an stay relatively injury free it could be a very successful season for Dai Young, who must surely be setting his sights on being the first Magner League Champions.