Burnell praises commitment of Blue and Blacks

Mar 31 2008 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

THE Blue and Blacks strengthened their second place in the Premiership after a team effort that was unrecognisable from their pallid performance at Bedwas seven days earlier, writes Alan Evans.

Their defence was watertight in a scoreless first-half played out mainly in their territory but after the interval the ball was literally on the other foot.

Craig and Luke Evans at half-back stuck rigidly to a kicking plan that pinned Ebbw Vale deep in their own half for long periods.

It was only a matter of time before the try-scoring opportunities turned up and Cardiff had a potent strike-force in their back three of Leigh Halfpenny, Ryan Howells and Gareth Chapman.

All were involved in the three tries that completed a convincing victory.

“We were good today,” said director of coaching Justin Burnell, “but that’s us all over. One minute we are not turning up, as happened when Bedwas came at us and we had no answer, and the next we show great commitment and beat a quality side like Ebbw Vale.”

His Vale opposite number Patrick Horgan was making no excuses afterwards, merely pointing out that the Steelmen were a tired side.

“We’ve played three tough matches this week and have few selection options with only 17 regular squad members to call on.”

Vale had the Lewis brothers, Rob and James, and England’s Simon Hunt away at the Hong Kong Sevens as was Cardiff’s Richie Pugh, but a more valid issue was the fixture congestion that will affect all Premiership clubs.

Cardiff will find themselves in the same boat as the Vale next week when they also sandwich a midweek match at Newport – rearranged because of a venue clash with an under-20 international three weeks ago – between two Saturday fixtures.

The pattern will continue until the end of the season. While their counterparts in the English leagues will climax their season with every fixture kicking off at the same time on the same afternoon, the Welsh clubs will be winding up their campaigns at various dates into mid-May.

With Neath opening up a 20-point cushion at the top of the premiership, the result of their visit to the Arms Park, which has been switched to Sunday, April 20, to accommodate live television coverage, may be academic but Justin Burnell and his team will remain focused.

As he pointed out on Saturday: “In the next month or so many questions will be asked of us by our opponents and we must be prepared to answer them.”

Cardiff: L Halfpenny; G Chapman, T Davies (capt), D Ryan (R Jones 76), R Howells (R Jones 23-25); C Evans (G Davies 73), L Evans; S Roberts (G Gunter 67), G Horrigan (R James 47), P Palmer, J Down, C Stamatakis (M Amos 40), A Powell (D McShane 76), M Lewis, A Whitney (N Hampson 55). Red card: James (80)

Tries: Halfpenny, James, Howells; Cons – Halfpenny (3)

Ebbw Vale: A McLaughlan; J R Williams (G Roberts 40), K Owen, A Bramwell, A Bevan; B Shelbourne (C Anderson 74), G Williams; I George (A Coundley 43), M Williams (C Attwell 74), A Lott (M Jones 72), W Jones (C Moses 70), M Griffin, R Dicks (N Aiono 50), J Bowd (capt), J McPhail

Referee: Nigel Owens (Pontyberem)