Cardiff Blues v Scarlets

A glorious sunny day had turned into a mild clear evening, as one of the crunch games of Round 18 in the Pro12 kicked off. Both teams fielding as many of their returning international players as possible in the big derby clash of the Cardiff Blues v Scarlets.

Both teams had to deal with late disruptions. Ben Blair dropped out for the Blues, with Czekaj stepping in and Henson moving onto the bench. Stephen Jones was a last minute withdrawal due to illness for the Scarlets, Thomas making the move up to play out half, with international sensation George North moving up to the bench.

The first half was a very rusty affair, with both sides having returning players starting, and all taking their time to gel back in with their teams. In the first half hour, both teams showed great endeavour, but too many basic errors were stopping the game truly setting alight.

Referee Nigel Owens did his best to make it a fluid and free running game, with only two kickable penalties conceded in the first half hour, both Thomas and Parks missing their shots on goal. As the sides continued to pummel away at each other, the main form of entertainment came from the large contingent of Scarlets supporters, whose range of songs brought some much needed atmosphere to the Cardiff City Stadium.

A shoulder injury saw the end to Scott Williams game, he was replaced by fellow international Jon Davies and his appearance was what finally started the score board ticking over. At the thirty five minute mark, a turnover in play led to the Scarlets attacking once more, and Jon Davies put in a clever grubber kick ahead for Maule and wing Fenby to chase. Grand Slam winning try scorer Alex Cuthbert appeared to have it covered for the Blues, but to his dismay he failed to gather the ball and Fenby made no mistake in cleaning up to score the first try of the match. Aled Thomas duly converted to make it 7-0 to the Scarlets.

Half time score Cardiff Blues 0 – 7 Scarlets

The second half kicked off with the Scarlets immediately on the attack and pressurising the Blues. Another kick through into the Blues 22, with Fenby again chasing, saw Dan Parks rushing across to cover and kick the ball out. A nightmare scenario for him though, Parks completely missed it, leaving the ball clear for Fenby's second try, which Thomas converted. Scarlets were now leading 14 – 0.

The Blues regrouped well and started pressuring the Scarlets who were forced to scramble back to defend in their own 22. The pressure soon told, when returning winger Sean Lamont was deemed to have deliberately knocked on 5m out from his try line, he was sent to the sin bin by Owens.

An arm wrestle ensued, with both sides defences coming out on top, until in the 55th minute- a telegraphed pass from Thomas saw Cuthbert grab an intercept, racing from the half way line to score under the posts. It was to be the only highlight in a mostly forgettable match for the giant wing. Sweeney, who had been brought on in replacement of Parks, made sure of the conversion. Cardiff Blues 7 – 14 Scarlets.

From that point the game really broke up, Tom James almost getting another intercept try for the Blues as the Scarlets continued to force it in attack. The teams exchanged numerous turnovers, until Sean Lamont, redeeming himself slightly for his yellow card, made a break into the Blues’ 22. He neatly passed to scrum half Davies, who easily evaded Henson to sprint over the line. This was met with rapturous singing from the Scarlets vociferous support.

The Cardiff Blues were determined not to go down without a fight, and soon made their way downfield to be camped in the Scarlets’ 22. Despite the Scarlets’ dominance in the scrum, the Blues’ forwards were doing a good job of securing ball for their backs- Laulala on a darting run inside, managed to crash through Turnbull and Liam Williams to score in the 67th minute. Converted by Sweeney to make the score Cardiff Blues 14 – 19 Scarlets.

It was the Scarlets’ turn to apply the pressure, as their tireless forwards, led by Jones and Turnbull, made their way back into the Cardiff Blues’ half to earn themselves a penalty. Aled Thomas, who had coped well with the pressure, stepped up to take the kick that would move the Scarlets more than one score ahead. The kick was on target, but fell short.

A roaring welcome for George North quickly dispelled any nerves the Scarlets fans were feeling as he came on to replace captain Gareth Maule. It took only one touch of the ball for North to make his mark. He surged through the Blues’ defence, breaking the tackles of fellow Wales team mates Lloyd Williams and Alex Cuthbert, before popping up a neat offload to the supporting Dom Day who slid over for the bonus point try.

The remaining few minutes of the match saw the Blues doing their utmost to claw something from the game, but it ended 14 – 26 to the West Wales region, with the strains of Yma o Hyd and Lawr ar Lan y Mor ringing out around the stadium.

An intense match, with too many errors to make it a classic encounter, but the dominance in the forwards, and the ability to take their chances saw the Scarlets come out deserving victors in the end. They now move within one point of a play off place. Three games and three try bonus point wins point firmly to a side in form.

The Blues on the other hand looked dejected. They had been beaten not just on the field, but off it as well where their fans had been out performed by the travelling support from the West. Nervous times might await them, with the Dragons making a late charge in the league, and they will hope to regroup quickly before the next round of games and before their European quarter final if they are to progress. Better performances will most definitely be needed.