End of term Blues’ shaky finish

Apr 20 2008 by Simon Thomas, Wales On Sunday

Blues 30-17 Ulster

THE BLUES marked their final home game of the season in winning fashion, but it was a real Jekyll and Hyde performance from David Young’s men.

After leading 27-3 at the break, they lost their way in the second-half and not only failed to claim the fourth try they needed to secure a bonus point but conceded two touchdowns to the lowly Ulstermen who drew within 10 points at one stage.

Ultimately though, the excellent work done in the first period had been enough to secure a win for Young’s team, who remain in second place in the Magners League.

Realistically, there was never going to be any catching champions-elect Leinster, but the Blues went into the game determined to match last year’s second spot and finish as the highest-placed Welsh side in the league.

Despite their second-half decline, they moved closer to that dual goal last night and have trips to Connacht and Ulster to come next month to round off what has been a season of undoubted progress, marked by a first Heineken Cup quarter-final in seven years.

Victory was in the bag by half-time yesterday, with tries from skipper Martyn Williams, centre Gareth Thomas and wing Jamie Roberts – supplemented by the boot of Blair – establishing a 24 point interval lead.

With the game already won, the Blues went decidedly off the boil after the break as they over complicated things in the deteriorating conditions.

On the individual front, there were fine displays from forwards Maama Molitika and Deiniol Jones, who have been beacons of consistency this season, while powerful and pacy winger Tom James was a real handful throughout.

It’s just unfortunate that the Blues weren’t able to keep things going for 80 minutes to mark the end of their Arms Park campaign in real style.

There was an end-of-term view to the match, with the home fans making their last visit to the ground before the summer break and a hardy band of Ulster supporters having made the trip to the Welsh capital to mark their final away game of the season.

It was the Cardiff contingent who had first reason to celebrate – and after just a minute at that – with full-back Blair slotting over an immediate penalty. The lead was extended on 14 minutes with the first try of the game.

It was a foray started and finished by skipper Williams who first claimed the lineout ball at the tail and then supported a searing midfield break from fly-half Nicky Robinson.

Robinson’s scoring pass asked a lot of the Wales flanker, who had to stretch backwards to take it, but he showed great skill to cling on one-handed before stepping inside rookie full-back Mark McCrea and touching down.

The reliable Blair kicked the conversion and then exchanged penalties with Ulster fly-half Niall O’Connor ahead of the Blues claiming their second try on the half hour through former Wales skipper Gareth Thomas.

It was in-form wing James who did the damage, showing real strength to shrug off three would-be tacklers as he burst through after taking the ball at pace from a scrum near half-way.

The Wales tour candidate then capitalised on his power-surge by floating a long pass out to Tongan flanker Molitika who acted as the perfect link to enable Thomas to cross.

It was one-way traffic and the dominant Blues went further ahead just before the interval to establish a commanding half-time lead.

James and Molitika were involved again, along with Robinson and Williams, as the ball was moved first left and then right to stretch the Ulster defence to breaking point, with lock Deiniol Jones giving the scoring off-load to wing Roberts, who went over for his seventh try of the season.

The half-time break seemed to cause the Blues to lose their momentum, while the visitors showed some pride as the conditions worsened and rain swept across the ground, with Ryan Caldwell squeezing over.

Lock Caldwell then promptly blotted his copy book as he was yellow carded for diving in at ruck, but the Blues failed to make the most of their one-man advantage as handling errors crept into their play.

It was a further fumble that cost them on 71 minutes as Rob Dewey and Andrew Trimble hacked on a loose ball, with Tommy Bowe getting the downward pressure to the satisfaction of the video referee.

O’Connor converted to cut the deficit to 10 points and it took a penalty from David Flanagan to make the game secure and settle nerves that had seemed the last thing in anyone’s thoughts at half-time.