Dragons shot down in second half blitz
A FORMIDABLE second half performance from the Blues secured a convincing victory in an entertaining first Welsh derby of the season.
The livewire Dragons had deservedly led 21-10 at the interval but it was oneway traffic thereafter as the visitors wilted against a huge onslaught from a rejuvenated Blues.
Head coach Danny Wilson said: “We didn’t come out with the physical ferocity that we needed for a derby but we saw that ferocity in spades in the second half when our attacking game was outstanding.”
Dragons had no answers as Josh Navidi and Nick Williams drove relentlessly into their defence with Rey Lee-Lo and Matthew Morgan enjoying endless possession to create havoc.
It was a far cry from the first half when a brilliant try created by the impressive Tyler Morgan had led Dragons to believe they might just win away in the PRO14 for the first time since March 2015.
They had suffered two blows before kick off when wings Ashton Hewitt and Jarrod Rosser withdrew, but it didn’t seem to affect them in a frenetic opening with three tries in quick succession.
First Hallam Amos counter-attacked from deep and survived a high tackle from Taufa’ao Filise to create a try for Adam Warren. There was more than a hint that Gavin Henson’s final pass was forward but the try stood and a yellow card issued to Filise.
Blues responded with Kristian Dacey crashing over before Elliot Dee brushed aside a weak tackle from Blues’ replacement, Keiron Assirrati, to put Dragons back in front.
The non-stop action abated with a Jarrod Evans penalty being the only addition to the score before the visitors burst back into life with the try of the game.
It looked unpromising when Sarel Pretorius threw a poor pass in his own 22 but Dragons worked their way out of danger before Morgan showed exceptional pace and determination to race 70 metres and give George Gasson an easy run in.
Dragons looked likely winners but the game turned when Matthew Morgan was introduced at the interval and scored Blues’ second try soon after.
Henson replied with a penalty but that was the precursor for Blues to dominate by scoring four tries in 13 minutes as Dragons were run ragged.
Tom James was first on the scoreboard before Alex Cuthbert battered his way over. Evans then scored an excellent individual try before Morgan raced down the right flank to complete the spree.
It would have been even worse for Dragons but for a brilliant cover tackle from Morgan, which foiled Navidi inches from the line after the flanker had intercepted and run 60 metres.
Dragons did have the final say with a try from Lloyd Fairbrother which earned them a deserved bonus point and praise from their coach, Bernard Jackman, for a heartening performance.
He said: “We started the game really well and we have a core of local boys who we want to build a team around.
“In the second half we were trapped in our own 22 and struggled to relieve the pressure and we needed to be a bit more street smart.
“Their bench had a big impact as they had more depth than us and are better drilled at present.”