Dragons v Blues Build-up Thread

[Luckless Pedestrian]

First topic message reminder :

Just thought I'd get the ball rolling ahead of Saturday's derby match. The Blues have a good record at Dave Parade and will be looking to get back to winning ways after losing at home against Edinburgh; the Dragons lost away to Leinster on the weekend but will have taken heart from scoring three tries at the RDS and will be looking to put in another winning performance at home.

What do we think? Who's going to come out on top?

[thebluesmancometh]

defencive breakdown work is just dominant at present, neither team getting decent support, maybe because neither team are running anything near a set play.

[Smirnoffpriest]

I thought Cuthbert just drifted away from support and towards the touchline and as such had no space/support to do anything with. Great break and looks very dangerous, as does Patchell, Prydie and Evans

[maestegmafia]

lovely pace out wide on both teams.

[thebluesmancometh]

TOM WILLIAMS GET LOST!!!

who kicks the ball away??? on that kind of counter?!?!?!?

[wales606]

To be fair, Cuthbert didn't have many options. Pass back to the FB who would have been taken down by the covering defence or try to outpace the cover to the line. I think he took the right option as he was only just caught.

Tom Williams shows some pace, but a poor kick puts the Blues back where he kicked it.

[Cari]

Well if anyone's going to score a try in this half, it should be the Blues. They've had the best chances so far and have shown intent.

[wales606]

TOM WILLIAMS GET LOST!!!

who kicks the ball away??? on that kind of counter?!?!?!?

The Dragons were blocking the pass, kick was the right option, just poorly executed - this is his first season and first pro12 game, don't be too harsh.

[wales606]

Patchell takes his second opportunity

0 - 3

Steffan Jones kicks dead at the restart.

[Cari]

Oh! We have points! Blues penalty. 0 - 3.

[thebluesmancometh]

On a counter with more than 20 players behind you you never kick! It's far better to keep the ball live and keep your players in play!!

[wales606]

Dragons players kicking the ball out of the scrum is ok now?!?!

Almost led to a try, still might - not good refereeing.

[wales606]

and it is a try for Steffan Jones.

5 - 3.

[maestegmafia]

Great work Dragons try for Steffan Jones...!!!

The CROWD GOES WILD

[maestegmafia]

Talking of the crowd, it must be nearly a full house tonight...?

[thebluesmancometh]

Lloyd williams misses a simple tackle with poor footwork and a pathetic attempt!!

Brynmoor must have photos of everyones wives in comprimising situations!!!

[maestegmafia]

Lloyd williams misses a simple tackle with poor footwork and a pathetic attempt!!

Brynmoor must have photos of everyones wives in comprimising situations!!!

From what W606 says he might be the man comprimising them.

[thebluesmancometh]

It unbelievable, neither son were any good at junior level, but managed to make the next age grade, again and again, then the academy got hold of them and conditioned them and all of a sudden these average players are taking shirts.

How Lloyd williams has ever seen a red shirt I don't know, Ritchie Rees showed us last week how easy 9 play can be, but when your 9 is picking up, crabbing looking to pass, go, pass, go, then takes into the front row isolated you know somethings wrong!

[thebluesmancometh]

dull set play, poor execution, and then compounded by offside... I am this close to switching off!

[wales606]

Lloyd Williams passes to the feet, then arrives at the breakdown where the ball comes rolling out, and proceeds lightly tap the ball towards the Dragons.

The Blues really need to find a quality SH somewhere.

Come back Ritchie Rees, all is forgiven, we will sack Baber and give you the salary you want...please.

[thebluesmancometh]

Wales606

Ive been saying that for over 2 seasons, as soon as Williams came on the scene and displaced Rees for absolutely no reason at all!!!

[thebluesmancometh]

That lineout play says everything I need to know about the Blues coaching team!!!

[wales606]

Wow, just wow.

[maestegmafia]

looks short.. dont envy the tmo

[thebluesmancometh]

Lloyd Williams is a try scorers necklace tonight, not to mention him not bothering to track the ball carrier from the lineout!!

[wales606]

Wait, who got YC?

[thebluesmancometh]

Dragons call a scrum????


YES!! A positive decision, we've waited 44 minutes for one and now we have it!

[Cari]

Try was inconclusive, and I can't disagree with that. Just saw bodies!

Dragons sensibly go for the five metre scrum when the Blues are down to 14.

[wales606]

Dragons call a scrum????


YES!! A positive decision, we've waited 44 minutes for one and now we have it!

?? There have been a few scrums, and the Blues don't want one.

That was embarrassing, a 7 man Blues scrum is not good...though the extra man doesnt help either

[thebluesmancometh]

Davies the loosehead has done a wonder job there!!!

[wales606]

WOW, Blues win a penalty at a scrum

JUDGEMENT DAY HAS COME!!! ITS THE END OF THE WORLD!!!!

[Cari]

Close call for the Blues there, but a penalty gets them out of danger. Good chance for the Dragons gone.

[Cari]

J-Ro's on!!! The Doctor in IN!!!

[wales606]

Here comes Jamie Roberts, and Lewis Jones.

That should strengthen the backs.

[thebluesmancometh]

Im not talking from a blues POV!!! I meanty in general

[thebluesmancometh]

Lewis Jones thank god!!!

[wales606]

Lot of height on that kick.


Umm, and somehow is a try for ALEX CUTHBERT!!!

Cuthbert is on fire! 2 tries in 2 games.

[maestegmafia]

Cuthbert jumped all over that...

Patchell is having a very tidy game

[Cari]

CUFFY in with the Blues first try!!! Yeeehoooo! Now this game's waking up!

5 - 8 before conversion.

[wales606]

Patchell has to start next week now.

Tovey will have a lot to do.

Brilliant conversion too.

5 - 10.

[Cari]

Yay! good conversion from Prince Harry.

5 - 10 GAME ON!!!

[wales606]

Another booming kick from Patchell, really getting the height to allow the centres to contest and get it into the Dragons half.

We need Roberts under the high balls.

[maestegmafia]

Tom Davies doesnt look like much of a prop but he is doing very well

[thebluesmancometh]

Look at that, Patchell realised the bomb may be a problem for the Dragons and gone for it again... another turnover!!

Well done Patchell, there arent much rugby brains at the blues, you are one of few

[wales606]

Tom Davies doesnt look like much of a prop but he is doing very well

He is only 19, at the moment, all our props are injured/coming back from injury - Hobbs, Andrews, Bourrust etc

[wales606]

Good take from Pretorious.

[maestegmafia]

Patchell is playing very well indeed.. Tovey might struggle to get in the team

[thebluesmancometh]

Patchell has done just about everything tonight, grubber, kicked high, long, reverse kick, offload, break the line.. he's looking good!

[wales606]

When Paterson gets back he is going to love it if Patchell is still playing and getting such height on the ball.

[maestegmafia]

Tom Davies doesnt look like much of a prop but he is doing very well

He is only 19, at the moment, all our props are injured/coming back from injury - Hobbs, Andrews, Bourrust etc

Looks like a superb find... lets hope the old steak and poached egg diet can get some size on him.

I remember Duncan Jones looking like that.

[wales606]

Oh, bit of a shaky one from Patchell there. First wrong decision of the night for him.

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