By Andrew Collins
January 8 2007

A stunning 2nd half rout saw the Cardiff Blues home, with a bonus-point win over the Borders, to take them 3rd.

5 second half tries as well as Rhys Shellard’s first half opener were more than enough for the Blues against bottom of the table Borders in an open and expansive game of rugby.

 

It continues a 100% home league record this season, as Cardiff begin to feel that home fortress once more. With crowd attendences up this year, as well as noice levels at the matches, it seems to be lifting the players, even in the less important games.

 

After a fairly average first half, in which Cardiff scored a great try in the opening minutes, Nick Robinson lost his head and gifted the Borders their first of two tries to allow them back into the game. Shellards opener was cancelled out after a Borders attack was turned over in Cardiff's 22. However instead of kicking clear, Robinson threw a wild pass in hope of a counter attack, but instead found only Simon Danelli who couldn't have had an easier finish.

 

While Blair's conversion sailed through, Gregor Townsend's didn't, though he slotted a penalty later to give them the lead for the majority of the first half.

 

Blair did get the Blues back in front before the half, for a 10-8 lead, which didn't show the dominance of the Cardiff side.

 

Half Time

 

Cardiff Blues 10 Borders 8

 

But the second half was all Blue! The romp began with Xavier Rush crashing through the Borders tackles to score right between the sticks. It capped a very impressive return to form for the captain, who has struggled at times. But a great performance today, and a fully deserved try. Blair converted.

 

Chris Czekaj almost went over minutes later after a good set move from the backs. Jamie Robinson made the initial break, before Rhys Shellard was on hand to take the ball forward. But before the pass came in that would've put Czek's over, the young Welsh winger was tackled without the ball. No penalty try was awarded, but Ben White scored a fabulous solo try and celebrated in style from the resulting penalty.

 

After cutting a good angle going the opposite way to play, the Aussie held off two tackled to force his way over under the sticks. And he certainly enjoyed it, throwing his arms aloft to the rupterous appluase of the jubulent Cardiff fans.

 

Jamie Robinson clinched the bonus point for the Blues, going over after neat work by brother Nicky and Chris Czekaj, who had one of his finest performances in a while.

 

The Borders did get on the scoresheet again however, when Law won the foot race after a nice grubber kick over the home sides line, but it mattered little as Shellard finished the match with another score.

 

Half Time

 

Cardiff Blues 36 Borders 15

Tries: Rhys Shellard 2, Xavier Rush, Ben White, Jamie Robinson.
Cons: Blair 4.
Pens: Blair.

theArmsPark.co.uk's Man of the Match - Xavier Rush
Awesome game for the Kiwi captain, who looked much more like his old self with a series of great pick ups and strong runs. He was always in the right place, and always took 2 or 3 men to be brought down, didn't go backwards once all match. Great team performance, capped off by a fabulous captain.

Blues: Blair 8; James 7, J. Robinson 8, Stcherbina 8, Czekaj 8, N. Robinson 8, Phillips 8, Jenkins 7, Thomas 7, G. Powell 8, Jones 7, Morgan 9, Shellard 8, White 8, Rush 10.
Replacements: S. Roberts, G. Williams, J. Down, A. Powell, E. Fairhurst, M. Luveitasau, N. Macleod.