Young’s attack on Blues’ lack of defence

Mar 22 2008 South Wales Echo

CARDIFF Blues coach Dai Young blasted his team’s defending after their Magners League title hopes evaporated in a 35-17 defeat at Stradey Park last night.

Some shoddy tackling in the Blues back line gifted Llanelli Scarlets two first half tries, which gave them the platform to come from behind and take the points from a match affected by a blustery wind.

The Blues came away with nothing in the end – leaving Young annoyed with the manner of the reverse.

“The biggest disappointment was our work in defence,” he said.

“We gifted them 14 points and you just cannot afford to do that.

“We spoke about it at half-time because we were very concerned with the number of one-on-one tackles we missed.

“It’s something we usually pride ourselves on and it has got to improve.

“The number of times they bust our line was hard to accept.”

There was more bad news for the Blues after flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor came off early in the second half following a heavy collision with Scarlets tighthead Deacon Manu.

It left Sowden-Taylor with damage to a shoulder joint that requires a scan.

“Robin is likely to be out for a couple of weeks,” said Young, who despite his frustration refused to throw in the towel on the Magners League.

“We can still have a say in the outcome of the title,” he vowed.

Blues-Scarlets match report: Pages 34-35