Cardiff Blues 26 : 15 Bath Rugby

Bath kicked off the match and an early penalty saw Vesty hook the ball wide. However, it wasn't long before the visitors were on the scoreboard, when Bath started a period of pressure with the forwards driving in the Blues twenty two before Hooper forced his way over with Vesty converting.

Sweeney slotted a penalty back for the Blues but it was Bath who were getting the best from early opportunities with only a last ditch tackle from Ceri Sweeney preventing a certain try.

The Blues looked dangerous when given the chance; Czekaj went on a mazy run from deep following a good turnover ball from Ellis Jenkins. However, the move broke down and the Blues were awarded a penalty that Sweeney again converted.

The Blues were stringing some passes together but were lacking penetration which was frustrating and the Bath defence was proving hard to break down. Sweeney was just short with a long range penalty effort, however, he slotted and easier attempt just moments later to put the Blues in the lead for the first time.

The Blues breakthrough came just before half time. Michael Paterson won clean line out ball on the half way line and tapped down to Richie Rees. The scrum broke through the gap and fed Mustoe who popped up on his shoulder. The winger drew the full back and passed to Sweeney to touch down. The fly half converted his try also.

Half time Cardiff Blues 16 Bath Rugby 7

The Blues had a lively start to the second half with Mustoe looking sharp and Cory Allen showing slick skills at inside centre.

The Blues were dealt a blow with James Down was shown a yellow card for hands in the ruck and Vesty slotted the simple penalty infront of the posts. The game lost it's shape somewhat with the only threat a long distance effort from Richie Rees who broke away into the Bath half. He looked for support but his pass to Tom James was intercepted and Bath cleared the danger.

The visitors seemed to be getting the better of the second half as it progressed and got the reward for their effort when they spread the ball wide for substitute Ollie Woodburn to dive over in the corner for a try. Vesty missed the touchline conversion but Sweeney slotted another effort for the Blues to bring the score to 19-15 with 10 minutes remaining.

The Blues looked to have sealed the match with some great counter rucking and physicality in the contact area by Gavin Evans leading to a try. The Blues won the turn over and spread the ball wide where substitute winger Alex Cuthbert showed his pace to sprint in, beating his man on the outside. Sweeney converted to give the Blues an 11 point cushion at 26-15.

Bath did fight to the end but some solid Blues defence kept them out which was encouraging to see with the Pro 12 kicking off in a fortnight.

Cardiff Blues 15 Chris Czekaj (60off) 14 Richard Mustoe 13 Gavin Evans 12 Cory Allen (54off) 11 Tom James (60off) 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Richie Rees (740ff)

8 Andries Pretorius 7 Ellis Jenkins (49off) 6 Michael Paterson 5 Deiniol Jones (46off) 4 James Down (63off) 3 Scott Andrews (74off) 2 T Rhys Thomas (49off) 1 Sam Hobbs (60off)

16 Gareth Williams (49on) 17 Nathan Trevett (60on) 18 Will Griff John (74on) 19 Macauley Cook (63on) 20 Maama Molitika (46on) 21 Thomas Young (49on) 22 Lewis Jones (74on) 23 Rhys Patchell 24 Casey Laulala (54on) 25 Alex Cuthbert (60on) 26 Dan Fish (60on)

Bath Rugby 15. Nick Abendanon 14. Matt Carraro 13. Dan Hipkiss 12. Ben Williams 11. Tom Biggs 10. Sam Vesty 9. Chris Cook

1. David Flatman 2. Ross Batty 3. Mark Lilley 4. Ryan Caldwell 5. Stuart Hooper (c) 6. Carl Fearns 7. Guy Mercer 8. Simon Taylor

16. Pieter Dixon 17. Charlie Beech 18. Nathan Catt 19. Kane Palma-Newport 20. Will Spencer 21. Ben Skirving 22. Will Skuse 23. Mark McMillan 24. Michael Claassens 25. Tom Heathcote 26. Paul Roberts 27. Nick Scott 28. Ollie Woodburn 29. Jack Cuthbert

Cardiff Blues
Tries Sweeney x 1 Cuthbert x 1
Pen Sweeney x 4
Con Sweeney x 2
D/G

Bath Rugby

Tries Hooper x 1 Woodburn x 1
Pen Vesty x 1
Con Vesty x 1
D/G

Yellow Card: James Down
Attendance:
Man of match: Scott Andrews.

Thats a decent win against a strong Bath team.

Interesting to see Scott Andrews given MOM,i havent been convinced by him when ive seen him play so it looks like the summer training with the Welsh squad has done him the world of good.

Glad Alex Cuthbert is getting a go, he has looked very good on the sevens circuit.

Waiting for BBTGOG's 2nd string team excuses

Great result against a strong Bath team, lets hope for a better season

Allez!

Well done Cardiff
It;s such a shame clubs dont put these games on their websites.

never thought i'd hear czekaj gong on a mazy run...

mpc28 wrote:

Interesting to see Scott Andrews given MOM,i havent been convinced by him when ive seen him play so it looks like the summer training with the Welsh squad has done him the world of good..

I think he has come back a better scrummager everytime he has been away with Wales. Obviously working with Adam Jones is helping him.

There is a lot of pressure on Andrews. People need to give him time to develop. Still a young lad. Good to see he played well.