Missed chances are costly for sad Blues
CARDIFF Blues were left to rue mistakes and missed opportunities after a tight, tense affair at a rain-swept Rodney Parade.
John Mulvihill’s men had their chances, but couldn’t take them, while Ulster showed how it should be done by grinding out the victory to make it four wins out of four in the PRO14 this season.
There were also injury concerns for the Blues with centre Rey Lee Lo stretchered off after taking a heavy blow to the head and flanker James Botham and fly-half Jarrod Evans forced off as well. It had been Samoan international Lee Lo who had scored their only try of the game, a wonderfully executed move on 23 minutes.
But they were not able to come close to that attacking excellence for the remainder of the game.
After trailing 8-7 at the break, they had a couple of golden opportunities in the Ulster 22 during the third quarter, only to turn the ball over on each occasion.
Then, after the visitors had extended their lead through the boot of Man of the Match John Cooney, the Blues exerted plenty of pressure in the closing stages, but just never really looked like breaking through.
There were too many spillages, too many misplaced passes and too many penalties given away, while they may question with hindsight some decisions to kick the ball rather than keep it in hand. They do at least come away with a losing bonus point, but it was a pretty frustrating evening. After winning their opening two league matches, they have now suffered backto-back defeats to Irish opposition.
They also have fitness issues to consider, with the injuries they suffered during the game coming on the back of Willis Halaholo pulling out in the warm-up.
The high point of the match was very much the try from fellow centre Lee Lo. At a lineout midway inside the Ulster half, Botham leapt high to claim possession and the ball was flung into midfield by Lewis Jones.
Then a short pass from Garyn Smith put Will Boyde into a hole and the No 8 burst upfield to set up a ruck just inside the opposition 22. It was then over to Jarrod Evans, who put in a delightful left-footed chip over the top which enabled Lee Lo to take the ball on the bounce and touch down.
After that though, Ulster took control and a sustained 15-minute spell of pressure was finally rewarded just before the break when full-back Michael Lowry shot through to the line. Then came that second-half and the costly missed chances.
Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Aled Summerhill, Rey Lee-Lo, Garyn Smith, Hallam Amos; Jarrod Evans, Lewis Jones; Corey Domachowski, Kristian Dacey (capt), Dimitri Arhip, James Ratti, Rory Thornton, Josh Turnbull, Will Boyde, James Botham. Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Brad Thyer, Scott Andrews, Ben Murphy, Olly Robinson, Jamie Hill, Jason Tovey, Owen Lane.
Ulster: Michael Lowry; Craig Gilroy, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik; Billy Burns (capt), John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, Adam McBurney, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, Jordi Murphy. Replacements: John Andrew, Jack McGrath, Ross Kane, Sam Carter, Sean Reidy, Alby Mathewson, Luke Marshall, Ethan McIlroy.