Saints 23 - Cardiff Blues 15

Last time I saw the Saints playing the Blues I was shouting for the Blues.  Oh how times change.  Two years later and my loyalties have swapped - this is what happens when you don't miss a match.  Institutional memory meant I nearly shouted come on the blues, but I managed to stop myself.

This match has had some bad write ups.  I don't know if people were expecting tries a-plenty.  But that was never going to happen.  Both teams were going to have a dogged defence, and both play with passion.  It was a tough match, perhaps that explains the 5 yellow cards.  No quarter given.  But ultimately the Blues nevver really looked like scoring a try and they couldn't match the Saints.  Once again it came down to the forwards.  They mashed the Blues scrum and they tore the Blues line-out.  In fact the Blues lost 5 of their own throw ins at the line-out, each time losing critical position.

Smyler had another good controlling match.  100% with his kicks from the tee, but also good positional play.  A beautifully weighted kick should have resulted in a try but Flash had post-international fall-out and failed to catch a ball that dropped right through his arms.

Dan Parks kept the Blues in touch throughout with well kicked penalties.  But it was never going to be enough.  In the end a tense match but a good win.

At about 78 minutes once again the Saints scrum demolished the Blues.  They steamrollered over them when they should have stopped as the ref blew up.  In itself a penalty against the Saints.  But Dylan and Gareth Williams continued their own private battle, both getting a yellow card for their efforts.  As they walked off Rabbit kept mouthing off at Williams and went passed a microphone at just the wrong moment, overheard to say "you're f*****g useless".  The return match next weekend could be interesting!

Socreres:
Saints - Tries: Digger, Flash; Cons: Smyler (2); Pens: Smyler (3)
Blues - Pens: Parks (5)