By Andrew Collins
January 3 2007

Last year, Cardiff won their first match in March! So what a way to start 2007!

Cardiff returned to winning ways with a 29-10 victory over Welsh rivals, Llanelli Scarlets at a sodden and boggy Arms Park.

And they did so in spectacular fashion, securing a 4-try bonus point, with Tom James, Scott Morgan and Chris Czekaj adding to a first half penalty try. Blair converted 3 of teh four tries, and added a first half penalty for a personal tally of 9, a good amount given the dire conditions.

After an entertaing, but rather point-free opening 15 minutes, Blair was on target with a penalty and Scarlets flanker Daffydd Jones was sin-binned, but it was another 15 beforwe the game really opened up. A moment of individual brilliance from Nick Robinson started the romp of the west Wallians. He backed himself with a strong run, breaking his first line of defence. When the pass didn't quite seem on, he put in a magnificent chip over the head of opposite number Ceiron Thomas.

He then showed pace and composure to round Thomas and collect for the score, however with Thomas hauling Robinson back in the most blatent of fashion, he was shown a yellow card, and referee Hugh Watkins ran under the posts for the penalty try. Blair converted.

And much like busses, it didn't take long before the second try arrived. If the first was an effort of solo brilliance, this was an incredible team try streching from our own 22.

Man of the match Scott Morgan stole turn over ball, and gor it out to Jamie Robinson who raced up the right flank. having made a good fourty yards, he drew his man before passing at exactly the right time to teenage winger, Tom James. With Gaving Evans to beat down the narrow touchline, he simply breezed past him back in-feild, putting the full back on the floor without touching him, to go over again under the posts unchallenged, though showing clever manner and game play in the build up. Robinson recieved many congratulations for his own contribution, but the whole team were up celebrating with the boy who looks set to be a bright Blue star for many years to come. Blair added the conversion.

Half Time

Cardiff Blues 17 Llanelli Scarlets 3

The second half demonstarted the Blues superiority over their visitors, even with the Stardy outfit having large amounts of possession, they failed to break a very strong and gritty Cardiff defence.

Indeed shortly into the second half Cardiff signalled their intent, taking a kickable penalty to touch. And it paid dividend, with the magnificent Morgan going over from the resulting rolling maul.

Llanelli eventually added to their first half penalty, but it came after Morgan was binned in the last 10 minutes, and even then they failed to cross the line! Thwey were awarded a penalty try for collaspsing a scrum in front of their own posts.

But with just minutes left, a swift move from right to left gave Chris Czekaj a simply finish in the left corner. The excellent Mike Phillips, who completely over shadowed Welsh positional rival and British Lion, Dwain Peel, threw a pass out to Robinson, who in turn lofted a stunning long, floated pass all the way out to the young Welsh winger, to crash over for the bonus point score.

Full Time

Cardiff Blues 29 Llanelli Scarlets 10

theArmsPark.co.uk's Man of the Match - Rhys Thomas
You may well have read other names here, with the match day sponsors giving it to Phillips for a series of quick taop penalties, and generally ouclassing Peel. Or the BBC giving their award to Morgan, who did have a sensational game, and now must surely be due an international call. But for me, Rhys Thomas was the main man today. The line-out was supurb in wet and windy conditions, the scrum was solid, and his tackle rate was simply supurb. Many contenders this week, but Thomas was in my eyes the most unsung hero.