Blues 32-16 Glasgow Warriors

Blues wing Jamie Roberts claimed two tries in a fine display
Blues 32 (15)
Tries: G Williams, J Roberts 2, Macleod, Selley.
Cons: Robinson 2.
Pens: Robinson.
Glasgow 16 (9)
Tries: Eddie.
Cons: Gregor.
Pens: Gregor 3.

Jamie Roberts inspired Cardiff Blues to a bonus-point win against Glasgow at the Arms Park and continued the Welsh region's unbeaten start to the season.

The powerhouse wing, just 21, claimed a try in each half and also created one for full-back Nick Macleod.

Hooker Gareth Williams had set the Blues on their way from a driving maul while Tal Selley crossed late on.

Glasgow battled gamely and lock James Eddie claimed a fine solo try, while fly-half Colin Gregor kicked 11 points.

Gregor gave Glasgow an early lead with a penalty after the Blues were caught offside at a ruck.

A break from scrum-half Richie Rees, gliding past Andy Newman, showed the first sign of the home side's attacking intent.

Although Glasgow stemmed the initial danger despite good support from Rhys Williams and Paul Tito, the Scots conceded a penalty and the Blues opted to kick for a five-metre line-out.

A clinical throw and catch was followed by an irresistible drive and hooker Gareth Williams emerged from the back of the maul to score the try.

Nick Robinson missed the conversion, although a strong cross-wind gave the fly-half some excuse, but the Blues were in front.

A lack of control and composure by both sides ensured the middle part of the first half subsided into a scrappy affair.

Richie Vernon almost claimed a try for Glasgow when the flanker charged down a Robinson kick, only for the bouncing ball to elude him over the Blues line as Macleod tracked back.

A high tackle from Bernardo Stortoni earned the Argentine full-back a yellow card and Glasgow struggled while a man down.

Robinson exacted instant revenge with a penalty, before his grubber kick - after Rhys Williams' fine break - put powerful wing Roberts over in the corner.

Fly-half Robinson capped that purple patch by converting the score, but two more penalties from the boot of Gregor ensured Glasgow only trailed 15-9 at half-time.

Yet within five minutes of the restart the Blues had claimed a bonus point and looked home and dry thanks to Roberts.

The 6ft 3in wing first showed a lightness of foot and change of direction that belied his nearly 17-stone frame, carving out a gap to send Macleod over for a converted try.

Then Roberts displayed decent pace and great power to rampage down the right wing and claim his second try, and crucially the Blues' fourth of the night for a bonus point.

A fine breakaway try from Eddie gave Glasgow hope, the lock showing great pace to race away from the halfway line to go under the posts.

Injuries to both Glasgow props meant uncontested scrums for the remainder of the game and offered some relief to the Scots who had been creaking in the tight.

The Blues found themselves down to 14 men after replacement lock Robert Sidoli was sin-binned for dangerously pulling Alastair Kellock down as the Warriors captain jumped at a line-out.

But the Welsh kept their composure and Robin Sowden-Taylor showed good awareness to send Selley over in the right-hand corner.

The centre blotted his copybook soon after as Selley left his side with 13 men on the field after his blatant obstruction earned a yellow card.

Glasgow did their best to take advantage of their numerical superiority, but the Blues tackled hard - with New Zealanders Tito and Xavier Rush to the fore.

Sidoli re-entered the fray and almost claimed a try when he was just held up following good interplay from Ben Blair and Rhys Williams.

But it scarcely mattered as the Blues still held a comfortable advantage that ensured the win.





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Blues: Nick Macleod; Rhys Williams, Tal Selley, Dafydd Hewitt, Jamie Roberts; Nick Robinson, Richie Rees; Rhys Gill, Gareth Williams, Gary Powell, Deiniol Jones, Paul Tito, Ben White, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Xavier Rush (capt).
Replacements: Scott Roberts, Ross Johnson, Robert Sidoli, Maama Molitika, Jason Spice, Tom Riley, Ben Blair.

Glasgow: Bernardo Stortoni; Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, Daryl Gibson, Thom Evans; Colin Gregor, Chris O'Young; Michael Collins, Eric Milligan, Moray Low, Alastair Kellock (capt), Andy Newman, Stevie Swindall, Richie Vernon, Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: Pat McArthur, Ed Kalman, Dan Turner, James Eddie, Sam Pinder, Scott Barrow, Hefin O'Hare.

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland).

This article was posted on 21-Sep-2007, 19:23 by Hugh Barrow.