Evans finds a cure for his Japan hangover

CARDIFF Blues outsidehalf Jarrod Evans believes he has rediscovered the form that got him in Warren Gatland’s thoughts after overcoming his Rugby World Cup heartache.

The 23-year-old led the Blues to their first victory in five matches with 14-points from the boot to add to tries from Aled Summerhill and Josh Turnbull.

The 14-man Cheetahs rallied after Jasper Wise’s early red card for a reckless shoulder charge to score through Rhyno Smith and Clayton Blommetjies, but the man advantage told as

the Blues cruised to a crucial victory.

“Missing out on the World Cup took its toll because I was going really well at the time,” Evans said.

“But that has been parked now and I’m starting to remember why I got the chance to get there in the first place.

“Teams are starting to target me but it’s how you respond and I feel we got back to playing the Cardiff Blues way.”

The hosts were looking to end their miserable run of form against a Cheetahs side who were struggling on the road. They got off to a positive start when Jason Tovey booted them three points ahead with a 45m penalty.

It looked all to easy for the hosts when Summerhill cruised over at the corner after blowing an opportunity moments earlier.

If things weren’t difficult enough for the Cheetahs with 15 men, they got a whole lot harder when No.8 Wise was carded for a shoulder charge to the head of Tovey at a ruck.

But the dismissal sparked a first-half revival as the visitors rallied to get back within four points thanks to breakaway tries

from Smith and former Scarlet Blommetjies.

Pienaar converted both but Evans landed a pair of penalties before the break with the Cheetahs down to 13 men after Gerhard Olivier’s sin-binning to give the Blues a 17-14 lead at the interval.

Turnbull crossed at the corner six minutes after the restart after Willis Halaholo used his elusive footwork to get in behind the defence.

Evans converted and kicked another penalty to to give Mulvihill’s men breathing space at 30-17.

Late yellow cards for Kieron Assirati and Evans made for a nervy finish, but the Blues held on.

Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie said: “Our discipline cost us, we got back into the game but it was a massive task to get the win with 14-men.”

REFEREE: Ben Blain

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Star man

Jarrod Evans - Cardiff Blues