By Andrew Collins
May 7 2006

The Blues great performance was not enough to beat Ulster and referee, Peter Allan, as title hope now dissapear.

It's really not like me to be so irate following a rugby match, no matter how frustrating, but the biggest match in the Cardiff Blues short history, was ruinned by sub-standard officaiting, as Dai's men concede the title to either Leinster or Ulster.

Cardiff started the match excellantly, with stand in full back Nick Macloed in great kicking form, slotting 3 from 4 penaltys in the opening quater of an hour to give the Blues a 9-0 lead. But as the decsions went Cardiff's way, the Ulster fans quickly jumped on referee Peter Allan, and he caved under the pressure of the Ravenhill atmosphere.

It began shortly after the 3rd successful penalty, as a Nick Macloed clearance was charged down by the Irish province. It casued dissary in the defence, and as a staright battle emerged between Nick Robinson and Andrew Trimble, the Blues fly half was correctly adjuged to have blocked the international centre. But the decision that followed begs belief. Allan, of the Scottish rugby union, awarded a penalty try despite the incident being 15 metres from the line and not a definate try scoring oppertunity. To add insult to injury, he answered calls from the stands for a yellow card and sent Robinson to the bin.

The penatlty try was definately the wrong decision. The correct call would've been a peanlty and yellow card. However, to give the penatlty try was one thing, but to give a yellow card for that was absoluetly disgraceful. The incident did not merrit such unbelievable punishment, and if he was going to give the penalty try, the card should never have been given.

Humphreys converted to make the scored 9-7, and Cardiff survived the 10 minutes without conceding any more points.

The ref continued to give teh wrong decision, and as the game game began to boil over, he failed to calm things down, and kept favouring the home side, no boubt due to their fans. A great example of this was Maama Molitika and lock Justin Harrison. Harrison took matters into his own hands, off tha ball dragging Maama when he was on the gorund, pucnshing him and inciting violence. Maama reacts and when the crowd bust into ruptures, the penalty goes the way of, yep you've guessed it, Harrison.

Harrison then started a rucus on his way back tto teh dressing room, clashing violently with of all people, Dai Young! No action was taken.

Half Time

Ulster 9 Cardiff Blues 10

The sceond half saw Ulster come out of their shells, as they took advantage getting a penalty to take a 12-9 lead. But the match failed to get any sort of rhyme to it, and the Blues got an excellent break away score 7 minutes into the half.

Cardiff gained possesion from the line-out with Mike Phillips. His timed pass set Nick Robinson off past opposite number Humphreys. Robinson then drew the man and offloaded to Marc Stcherbina, who rounded 2 men before feeding Jamie Robinson, who just about how the speed to get to the line for a fantastic break-away try. Macloed (A.K.A. Screech) missed the conversion, but Cardiff had regained the lead.

Unfortunately, it was to be the last points the away side would score, as Humphreys brought Ulster back to within a point moments later.

Then came another appauling refereeing decision, as this time John Yapp was wrongfully sent to teh bin for a bust up. He was binned for punshing, though right infront of the refs nose, 5 Ulster players crowd around him hitting him and pulling his shiort over his head, and he gets the card. The incident didn't warrent even a penalty, and could've just as easily gone in Cardiff's favour for retaliation on behalf of the home forwards who took it upon themselves to punish the offside prop.

With Allan deciding a yellow was the fate for punishing, Yapp should've been followed by at least 3 Irish players down the tunnle, with more yellows dished out to Harrison and co. earlier in the game. Humphreys converted the penalty to strip the Blues of their lead, as once again, the home fans influenced the match.

Roger Wilson crosses later in the match, to effectively kill off any chances of an upset, though there were still moment to come for the Blues.

Firstly, a tap penalty from Mike Phillips 7 meteres out was tackled 4 meters from the line (you do the maths, 7 metres - 4 metres = 3 metres. What happened to the rule about 10?). Then Rhys Thomas came desperately close. And finally, a magnificent solo kick and chase from Nick Macloed nearly ended heroicly, but the Ulster defense dealt supurbly with the curly-haired full backs tap over the line.

Half Time

Ulster 26 Cardiff Blues 17

It means the Blues title hopes are over, unless the unthinkable happens in the final 2 games.

Ulster were probably the desreved winners, but Cardiff's pereformance warrented so much more, with at very least a bonus point some consolation. However, it wasn't to be, and the Blues left Ireland with nothing to show for a very spirited and courageous performance.

Ulster move to top of the table, and Cardiff could seal Ulsters fate as winners with a win over 2nd placed Leinster on Sunday.

theArmsPark.co.uk Man of the Match - Nick Macleod
The second time in two weeks Screech has won this award, with this display even better tahn the home game against Ulster. He seemed very much at home at full back, and looked accomplished with his kicking, tackling and his attacking. At this rate, he can't be released, a young Welsh back playing on top form cannot be let go of. He nearly scored in the dying minutes with a great solo run, and was the hero as he and Chris Czekaj teamed up to stop what looked a sure try 10  minutes before. His hand kicking was very good, and his place attempts were more reliable than Robinsons. To reiterate for Mr Nortser, Thomas and Young, Macca must be kept.