Edin’ hands as the Blues spill chance

Jan 6 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

DAVID YOUNG pulled no punches after his Blues side suffered a second defeat on the trot in the Magners League.

The Blues’ boss saw his high-flying side slump to a 11-10 defeat to an impressive Edinburgh side at the Arms Park on Friday night.

It was the Blues’ second defeat in less than a week, ahead of their must-win Heineken Cup clash with Harlequins on Friday.

The Blues are in the box-seat for a quarter-final place, with two Pool games left to play.

Young, though, wasn’t satisfied with his side’s display against Edinburgh on a rain-sodden evening.

“It was always going to be tight and messy and that proved to be the case,” said Young.

“We had enough opportunities to win the game but we didn’t – and we only have ourselves to blame.

“We spilled too much ball but created enough chances to win the game.

“But, fair play to Edinburgh, they showed what a good side they are and they took the opportunities that came their way.”

Edinburgh stunned the Blues with an early try by wing Andrew Turnbull, but the Blues hit back through a typical barn-storming try by skipper Xavier Rush.

But Edinburgh fly-half Phil Godman landed a late drop goal to seal an unlikely win for the Scottish outfit.

Meanwhile, the Scarlets blew a golden chance to go top of the Magners League against Connacht.

Phil Davies’ side suffered a 20-18 defeat away to the Irish minnows.

Rookie fly-half Rhys Priestland landed six penalties for the Welsh side but a late penalty by his opposite number Andy Dunne sealed an unlikely win for Connacht.

Meanwhile, Dragons coach Paul Turner labelled his side ‘the last play region’ after breaking Glasgow Warriors’ 15-month unbeaten home record.

It was a case of déjà vu as lock Peter Sidoli’s late winner in the 18-16 victory at Firhill came just three days after Richard Mustoe scored in identical circumstances to sink Llanelli Scarlets on New Year’s Day.

In-form flanker Joe Bearman handed Turner’s men a 10-6 half-time lead but it was replacement Sidoli who grabbed the vital score with minutes left on the clock to fend off the Warriors’ second-half fightback.

Turner said: “It’s been a good few days for us. We’ve got a good record over Glasgow, and especially in Scotland.

“We’ve won seven out of the last eight meetings between the sides so we always knew we were capable of winning.

“We played quite well but hung on at the end.”