Scully’s late score scuppers Bristol comeback
BEN Mosses crashed over for a late try but it wasn’t enough for Bristol to down Cardiff Blues in an entertaining pre-season friendly at the Arms Park yesterday.
Wing Tom Varndell grabbed a try either side of half-time to go with Mosses’ late effort while fly-half Gavin Henson helped himself to ten points from the tee.
The Blues saw Tom James, Steve Shingler, Aled Summerhill and Blaine Scully all cross but it was a late penalty from Wales U20s fly-half Jarrod Evans, who had come off the bench a little earlier, which eventually sealed it for the Welsh region.
The hosts took the lead inside five minutes when Wales international wing James blitzed through the Bristol defence to score the opening try of the game to lead 5-0.
Henson’s long-range penalty midway through the half brought the West Country side to within two points, but Shingler’s touchdown following a quickly taken penalty from Tom Williams stretched the Blues’ advantage.
Bristol hit back again and this time it came through a superb solo effort from Varndell, for his first try of the game.
The flying wing kicked, chased and outpaced the last defender to score and keep Bristol in the game, trailing only 12-10 at the break.
Although Blues full-back Matthew Morgan went close to scoring against his old side after the restart, it was the visitors who turned the game on its head when Varndell grabbed his second of the afternoon proving he has the power to match his lightning speed as he rumbled over from 40 metres.
With ten minutes remaining, Summerhill squeezed over in the corner for an unconverted try to level the score at 17-17.
Evans’ three-pointer edged Blues in front before former Leicester flier Scully gave the hosts an eight-point lead. Mosses’ try and Henson’s conversion gave Bristol hope but they ran out of time. Star man