‘Our bigger and better squad are reaping rewards’

Jan 21 2008 by Delme Parfitt, South Wales Echo

DAI Young hailed his Cardiff Blues players and insisted their win against Bristol was reward for months of hard work.

“The fact is we have taken something from every game in the competition,” said Young.

“When we have failed at this level in the past it has not been about not having enough bottle, it has been because we simply weren’t good enough.

“Now we have a bigger and better squad and are reaping the results.

“The bottom line is that not many would have expected us to come here and dominate like we did.”

Young inevitably fielded questions about the Blues’ failure to harvest an extra try that would have secured a home quarter-final against Toulouse.

“The first thing we wanted to do was win the game,” he said.

“When we went 17-0 up it was definitely on but it just didn’t happen for us.

“To be fair though I think Bristol had a big say in that because they improved.

“But this is a flag in the sand for us all, including our supporters who have stuck by us.

“I don’t think we should forget the chairman Peter Thomas either.

“This is a big day for him.”

And Young stressed the Blues CAN win away to Toulouse.

“We are not in the quarter-finals to make up the numbers,” he said.

“We realise we will have to be at our best, but that is the intention.”