Blues blow past Quins at the Stoop
Centre Jamie Roberts scored two of the Cardiff Blues’ seven tries on Sunday afternoon as they recorded an impressive 45-20 victory over Harlequins, booking themselves a place in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
The Cardiff Blues’ hopes of Heineken Cup glory may be gone but thanks to an impressive performance they could still take home some European silverware this season.
Fullback Ben Blair was the chief contributor to the Blues’ cause on Sunday evening, scoring 20 points as the Welsh side rocketed their way through to the Amlin Challenge Cup quarters.
Things didn’t start according to plan for Cardiff though. Just 70 second in it was Harlequins who opened the scoring. Young centre, George Lowe, was set up by David Strettle in the left corner and the home side had an early lead.
Quins went further ahead after 11 minutes thanks to a Rory Clegg penalty and, after Blair missed his first three-pointer attempt, it looked as though Quins might well be on course for a good afternoons work. Of course it didn’t end up like that.
With their pack leading the way, Cardiff started to put the pressure on Quins. Driving the home side backwards, the ball was quickly then sent wide to right wing Gareth Thomas. The experienced flyer went in unopposed after 15 minutes.
The pressure did not relent with John Kingston’s men conceding two penalties in quick succession and handing Blair the chance to extend his teams lead.
New Zealander Casey Laulala created try number two with a wonderfully timed pass to his charging fullback Blair.
Nick Easter scored a try four minutes later to show some signs of life for the home fans to enjoy. Put in a gap by Danny Care, Easter finished well.
The normal order quickly returned though with Cardiff dominating possession.
Ceri Sweeney finished off the Blues next score before, seemingly killing off the game, Xavier Rush grabbed the visitors fourth try of the half.
Quins bought themselves back to life with a try in the final minutes of the first half, through Care, narrowing the gap to eight at the break.
A couple Blair missed seemed to give Quins some hope of a revival but nine minutes into the second period those hopes were dashed by Roberts’ first try.
A Blair penalty on 57 minutes took Cardiff 18 points clear.
The final try also fell to Roberts. The powerful Lions centre was setup by a powerful charge by Gary Powell.
For Harlequins
Tries: Lowe, Care, Easter
Pen: Clegg
Cons: Clegg
For Cardiff
Tries: Blair, Thomas, Roberts 2, Sweeney, Rush
Pen: Blair
Cons: Blair 6
The teams:
Harlequins: 15 Nick Evans, 14 David Strettle, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Lewis Stevenson, 4 James Percival, 3 John Andress, 2 Chris Brooker, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Aston Croall, 17 Joe Marler, 18 James Johnston, 19 Tom Guest, 20 Neil McMillan, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 George Lowe.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Gareth Thomas, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom James, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Andy Powell, 5 Deiniol Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Faao Filise, 2 Gareth Williams, 1 Gethin Jenkins (c).
Replacements: 16 T Rhys Thomas, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Gary Powell, 19 Paul Tito, 20 Ben White, 21 Gareth Cooper, 22 Dai Flanagan, 23 Tom Shanklin.
Referee: George Clancy
