Blues gain revenge over Zebre

 

The Blues were beaten 30-25 at home and 15-10 on the road to Zebre last year, and despite the Italians best efforts, Patchell was too good with one try, two penalties and five conversions.

 

Patchell scored the first of the Blues' five tries in Parma with Lloyd Williams following suit in the first half before Dan Fish, Alex Cuthbert and Kristian Dacey quelled a Zebre fightback in the second.

 

Tries from Brendon Leonard, Filippo Ferrarini and Dion Berryman had Zebre in front at the start of the second half but they couldn't hold on as the Blues secured a bonus point victory.

 

Patchell had his opening attempt at goal in the fourth minute as the first scrum of the game produced a penalty for the Blues but he was just wide with his kick.

 

He missed with another attempt moments later but made amends by touching down the first try of the afternoon shortly after following a break from Sam Warburton.

 

The Wales captain linked up with Owen Jenkins and Patchell burst to the line before converting his effort for a 7-0 lead, although Zebre would soon open their account.

 

Samoa international lock Filo Paulo received yellow for tackling Leonard without the ball and Italian international Luciano Orquera slotted his first penalty of the match.

 

The Blues had their second try after 12 minutes though – this time through Williams but Patchell again converting – while Orquera missed a penalty in front of the posts moments later.

 

And after a succession of penalties, Zebre finally grabbed their first try with Paulo still in the bin for the Blues as Leonard crashed over from a close-range scrum.

 

The conversion from the touchline proved too much for Orquera but he would have a successful attempt as Zebre went ahead for the first time after 33 minutes thanks to flanker Ferrarini.

 

Patchell struck a penalty just before half-time to return the Blues' lead at 17-15 but Zebre started stronger after the break and were unlucky that Samuela Vunisa's try was ruled out.

 

They weren't to be denied in the 44th minute as Berryman went over from a strong scrum from Leonard although it remained a back and forwards contest with Fish restoring the Blues' lead.

 

He crossed three minutes later and Patchell converted to make it 24-20 before Alex Cuthbert secured the bonus point after good work by Cory Allen.

 

Zebre reduced the deficit to eight with a Kelly Haimona penalty and were then given a man advantage as replacement Gareth Davies received yellow with the same man cutting the gap to five.

 

But there would be no further fightback from Zebre as replacement hooker Dacey scored a fifth try for the Blues, which Patchell converted to make it 38-26.

 

And the 21-year-old would also have the final say of the game; completing his 21-point haul with a late long-range penalty to hand the Blues a 41-26 opening weekend win.

 

 

Tries: Dacey, Williams, Patchell, Fish, Cuthbert

Cons: Patchell 5

Pens: Patchell 2

 

Tries: Leonard, Ferrarini, Berryman

Con: Orquera

Pens: Orquera, Haimona

 

 

Zebre: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Dion Berryman, 13 Mirco Bergamasco, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Andries Van Schalkwyk, 6 Filippo Ferrarini, 5 George Biagi, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Dario Chistolini, 2 Andrea Manici, 1 Matias Aguero.

Replacements: 16 Oliviero Fabiani, 17 Andrea De Marchi, 18 Luciano Leibson, 19 Andries Ferreira, 20 Filippo Cristiano, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Kelly Haimona, 23 Edoardo Padovani.

 

Cardiff Blues: 15 Dan Fish, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Owen Jenkins, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Manoa Vosawai 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Chris Dicomidis, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees (captain), 1 Sam Hobbs.

Replacements: 16 Kristian Dacey, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Craig Mitchell, 19 Macauley Cook, 20 Josh Navidi, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Dafydd Hewitt.